NATO-led military forces in Afghanistan will remain in the region for another year.

Source: Hizbollah Site Staff, 09-10-2009

The U.N. Security Council has extended the mandate of the International Security Assistance Force Thursday urging the protection of civilians and stressing the importance of building up Afghanistan's own military and police forces.

The 15-member council unanimously extended the mandate.

The Security Council resolution authorizes nearly 68,000 strong International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) until October 13, 2010.

In addition to the United States 30,000 military personnel under direct command, the NATO-led ISAF has nearly 68,000 troops from 42 countries in Afghanistan.

The Council resolution calls on member states to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources to the coalition so it can carry out its mandate.

The turnover of ISAF's mandate comes against a setting of debates in Washington due to a sharp increase in troop casualties in recent months leading to a drop off in public support for the 8-year long war effort. Critics raise questions about the future strategy and troop commitments in Afghanistan.