United Nations, March 24, SPA -- United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday welcomed the Security Council’s decision to extend the mandate of U.N.’s assistance mission in Afghanistan for a further 12 months. “The secretary general welcomes the renewal of the mandate…and in particular the Security Council’s reaffirmation of the United Nations’ ‘central and impartial role’ in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan,” a statement from Ban’s spokeswoman said. The U.N. has some 1,500 staff in Afghanistan working primarily on development issues and supporting the political process. Afghan presidential and provincial elections are slated for August this year.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/647510