LOC10:29
07:29 GMT
NEW YORK, June 23 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed the adoption of resolution 2359 as a first step in support of the decision by the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5) to set up a joint force to combat terrorism and transnational organized crime, in coordination with national and other forces.
In a statement released on Thursday evening, the Secretary General reiterated the commitment of the UN, working closely with the African Union and other partners, to do its utmost to help mobilize adequate resources for the attainment of the objectives of the Force as agreed by the leaders of the G5 and endorsed by the AU Peace and Security Council.
He noted that the adoption of the resolution coincides with the second anniversary of the 2015 Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali.
While welcoming the important progress made by the signatory parties, Guterres underscored the need for expeditious progress on the remaining aspects of the agreement, with a view to consolidating and sustaining peace in Mali and the region.
The UN Security Council unanimously adopted on Wednesday resolution 2359 affirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Group of Five (G5 Sahel) Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.
The resolution welcomed the deployment of the G5 Sahel joint force (Force conjointe du G5 Sahel - FC-G5S), with up to 5,000 military and police personnel to restore peace and security in the Sahel region.
The Council also recalled that the situation in Mali constitutes a threat to international peace and security, and that the activities in Mali and in the Sahel region of terrorist organizations constitute a threat to peace and security in the region and beyond. (end)
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