Resolution renewal for UN Cyprus force expected on January 30

The resolution for the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force on Cyprus (UNIFCYP) is expected to be adopted by the UN Security Council on January 30.

Moreover, according to reports, the Security Council members will receive the six-monthly report of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on UNFICYP by January 10 at the latest.

UNFICYP was set up in 1964 "to prevent a recurrence of fighting and, as necessary, to contribute to the maintenance and restoration of law and order and a return to normal conditions." UNFICYP'S mandate has not changed since then but has included, since the Turkish invasion in 1974, supervising the ceasefire lines, maintaining a bufferzone and facilitating inter-communal contacts.

Guterres said in his report that the preventive and deterrent role of UNFICYP should be maintained for the time being.

"While the...