UN SC considering options for Mali peacekeeping mission

The UN Security Council has already begun to consider options for the deployment of a peacekeeping mission in Mali.

This was announced on Friday by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The mission should replace the counter-terrorist operation against the Islamists, waged by the international forces.

According to the Secretary General, at this stage it is necessary to outline the tasks and responsibilities the future mission will be assigned.

Ban Ki-moon urged the UN Security Council not to delay considering deployment of "blue helmets" in Mali, since a corresponding request has been received from interim President Dioncounda Traore.

Security Council members have already shown willingness to authorize a peacekeeping operation in Mali. However, France’s UN Permanent Representative Gerard Aro warned that it is too early to speculate on how soon the "blue helmets" will begin their mission in the African country. According to him, the transition to a peacekeeping operation takes about two months.