UN cuts back Liberia peace force

A smaller UN force will remain for at least another year

The United Nations Security Council has extended the UN peacekeeping force's mandate in Liberia for a year.

But the council decided to reduce the 14,000-strong UN Mission in Liberia (Unmil) by almost 20%, and also to cut back the 1,000-strong UN police.

Last month the UN published a largely positive report on Liberia's progress since the end of its civil war in 2003.

The Security Council noted however that the Liberian situation remains a potential threat to regional peace.

The Council will review Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon's recommendation for further reductions of troops in Liberia by the end of September 2008 "in the context of the security situation in Liberia and the subregion", the Security Council resolution said.

Unmil was established in 2003, taking over from a West African peacekeeping force.