UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) for another year until Nov. 15, 2020.

The Council decided, through adopting Resolution 2499, that MINUSCA shall continue to comprise up to 11,650 military personnel and 2,080 police personnel, and recalled its intention to keep this number under continuous review.

The Council decided that MINUSCA's strategic objective is to support the creation of the political, security and institutional conditions conducive to the sustainable reduction of the presence of, and threat posed by, armed groups through a comprehensive approach and proactive and robust posture without prejudice to the basic principles of peacekeeping.

It was the first mandate renewal following the signing of the Political Peace Agreement in the Central African Republic (CAR) between the government and 14 armed groups in Bangui on Feb. 6.

The latest secretary-general's report stressed the importance of holding presidential, legislative and local elections scheduled for 2020 and 2021 on time to consolidate peace and ensure stability. Given the limited capacity of the CAR and the country's security challenges, MINUSCA's strong support is essential throughout the electoral process, according to the secretary-general.

MINUSCA was started in April 10, 2014 to protect the CAR civilians under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. The country has been in civil war since 2012, which is being fought along religious and ethnic lines. The country's government, which controls only a fifth of the country's territory, wants MINUSCA to take up more security responsibilities. Enditem

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