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 UNITED NATIONS (AP) - East Timor's prime minister urged the Security Council Monday to extend the U.N. peacekeeping mission in his volatile country for one year, saying the next months will be critical as the Pacific nation prepares for its first national elections.
Security Council members were largely receptive at the meeting, praising Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace laureate, for his efforts to pull the country together from political fighting last year that left at least 33 people dead and sent 150,000 people fleeing their homes.
"Building a state, from almost zero, is a Herculean task," Ramos-Horta said. "I therefore plead with you to stay the course with us."
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