UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon asked the UN Security Council today to extend the mandate of the UN mission in Afghanistan another 12 months so it can assist Kabul in the critical elections in August, according to dpa. He said the UN mission will set up a political-electoral unit to work with Afghan political parties, civil society and the candidates to prepare for the general elections on August 20, including election of a new president. The UN mission will continue "to act in an impartial manner, leading the efforts of the international community, with the goal of ensuring a fair, transparent and credible process," Ban said. "There must be no doubt in the mind of any Afghan that elections will be held as scheduled," Ban said, reflecting the current uncertainty in Kabul about holding the ballot on August 20 because of insecurity and conflict among political parties.
