Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council agreed on Tuesday to extend the mandate of the U.S.-led multinational force in Iraq for one year.

    In a resolution unanimously adopted by the council members, the council decided to extend the mandate of the multinational force until Dec. 31, 2007.

    The resolution also stated that "the mandate for the multinational force shall be reviewed at the request of the government of Iraq or no later than June 15 2007, and declares that it will terminate this mandate earlier if requested by the government of Iraq.

    The council made the decision quickly after receiving a letter of request from Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Nov. 11. In the letter, Al-Maliki requested one-year extension so as to retain the presence of the multinational force in Iraq.

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