UNITED NATIONS - The Security Council on Wednesday extended the authorization of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan for one more year, until October 13, 2012, and welcomed steps taken to gradually transfer lead role in the security sector to the Afghan government by the end of 2014.

Acting unanimously, the Council "welcomes the agreement between the Government of Afghanistan and countries contributing to ISAF to gradually transfer lead security responsibility in Afghanistan to the Afghan government country-wide by the end of 2014."

It encouraged ISAF and other partners to sustain their efforts to train, mentor and empower the Afghan national security forces, in order to accelerate progress towards the goal of self-sufficient, sustainable, accountable and ethnically balanced Afghan security forces providing security and ensuring the rule of law throughout the country.

It also welcomed the Enduring Partnership Declaration agreed by the Afghan government and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at the Lisbon Summit held last November, in particular the latter's intention to provide, beyond the completion of transition, sustained practical support aimed at improving Afghanistan's capacity to tackle continued threats to its security, stability and integrity. (KUNA)