UN Security Council extends EU force in CAR

The UN Security Council has decided to extend its authorisation of the EU operation in Central African Republic (CAR) until March 15, 2015.

Under a resolution drafted Monday, the Security Council determined the situation in the CAR continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security, and therefore decided to extend the operation, Xinhua reported Tuesday.

The Council authorised the European Union (EU) to deploy an operation in the CAR and take all necessary measures with the limits of its capacities to help with the local security situation, according to its resolution 2134 adopted in January 2014.

The EU military operation, entitled EUFOR RCA, was established Feb 10, 2014 to provide temporary support in achieving a safe and secure environment in the Bangui area, capital of the CAR.

On June 15, EUFOR RCA has reached its full operational capacity and includes 700 troops from France, Spain, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania.

The CAR has been embroiled in what are believed as inter- communal retaliatory attacks between anti-Balaka and Seleka rebels, after the latter were ousted from power in January 2014. Under the 2014 plan of UN Refugee Agency, more than 400,000 people are estimated to be internally displaced.