BREAKING NEWS

UN increases troops in Somalia by 50 percent

UNITED NATIONS — The UN Security Council on Wednesday agreed to unanimously to increase the peacekeeping force in Somalia by 50 percent, to 12,000 troops from 8,000 troops.
Council members also authorized the African Union to extend its deployment of the peacekeeping force known as AMISOM in Somalia through Sept. 30, 2011.
Uganda said it would contribute the additional 4,000 troops.
The resolution approved by council members says the extension of the deployment and the increase in troops are necessary to support Somalia's weak, UN-backed government and to protect the civilian population from attacks by al-Shabab and other opposition groups.