New York - The conflict involving Russian and Georgian troops over South Ossetia has remained unsettled, influencing the determination of the role of the UN military observer mission in the area, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Monday. But he urged the council to extend the mandate of the small UN force until mid-February while discussion and arrangements would bring some clarity to the situation.
Ban informed the UN Security Council in a report that the military situation on the ground remains unclear as Russia has stationed troops in areas previously reserved for peacekeeping troops.
"In particular, there is as yet little clarity as to the future status of what has so far constituted the area of responsibility of UN military observers force in Georgia (UNOMIG), namely the security zone, where no military presence was permitted, the restricted weapons zone, where no heavy weapons could be introduced, and the Kodori Valley," Ban said.
