UNSC extends mandate of UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus

UNSC extended the mandate of UN Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until January 31, 2014 on Tuesday. During the Tuesday session of UNSC, the mission period of the UNFICYP, which has been serving in the island since 1964, and its latest situation of it in Cyprus were covered. UNSC extended the mandate of the UNFICYP for another six months by a vote of 13, with two members, Azerbaijan and Pakistan, abstaining. There are about 860 troops and 65 police officers serving under the UNFICYP. Moreover, the UN News Centre also stated Tuesday, \"the Council unanimously decided to extend the mandate of the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) until June 30, 2014 to continue work on its core priorities of protecting civilians, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, and security sector reform.\"