UN vows to act “promptly”

The UN Security Council on Wednesday said it would act “promptly” on a resolution authorising an expanded mandate of the UN mission in DRC (MONUC). In a statement read out by its president, Richard Holbrooke of the US, the Council said it would consider, “at the appropriate” time, preparations for an additional phase of UN deployment and further action in the DRC. The statement urged all parties to the Lusaka ceasefire accord to “build on the momentum” of the meetings held in New York this week to create the necessary climate for implementing the agreement in full.It expressed support for a coordinated MONUC-Joint Military Commission (JMC) structure, calling it a “vital step” towards enhancing the UN’s ability to support the Lusaka accord. The statement also stressed the “absolute need” for security and access for UN personnel deployed in support of the Lusaka process.