The UN Security Council Friday extended the mandate of its mission in Libya for another three months so it can provide needed assistance to the transitional government in Tripoli. The new mandate will expire on March 16 with the possibility of a renewal based on recommendations to be submitted by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the next phase of UN support to Tripoli. The Council added a new task to the mission, which is to "assist and support Libyan national efforts to address the threats of proliferation of all arms," according to a report of the German Press Agency "DPA" The mission, composed of under 200 staff, was deployed in October to help Tripoli implement plans for democratic reform leading to general elections next year, restore security and return the country to economic development.
