The UN Security Council on Wednesday extended for six months the mandate of the 1,200-strong military observers group that has been monitoring the 1974 cease-fire between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights. The UN Disengagement Observer Force was deployed after the two countries agreed to end hostilities in the contested area. Troops from Austria, Canada, Croatia, India, Japan and the Philippines have been monitoring the situation since 1974.
US Ambassador Susan Rice said in a statement that the mandate renewal was necessary because of the lack of solution to the Middle East conflict. "The situation in the Middle East remains tense and will likely remain so unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problems can be reached," Rice said.