United Nations, Aug 21, SPA -- The Security Council has unanimously extended the African Union-led mission in Somalia by six months, as it continues contingency planning for a possible United Nations peacekeeping operation in the war-ravaged country. AMISOM, the mission created by the Council in February aimed to support dialogue and reconciliation in Somalia by assisting in safety and protection of those involved in the process and of the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs). The 15-member body Monday urged Member States to "provide financial resources, personnel, equipment and services for the full deployment of AMISOM." Additionally, the resolution requested that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon consult the AU Commission on what further support the UN can provide to AMISOM, according to a report of the Press Trust of India. The resolution also requested that Ban continue with contingency planning for a possible deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission to replace AMISOM by sending a further technical assessment mission to the area as soon as possible. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/476462