The Security Council, by a vote of 13 in favor to none against with 2 abstentions (Russian Federation, South Africa), today decided to extend the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for a period of six months, read the UN’s press release. The extension of the mandate would last until 31 October and the Council stressed “the need to achieve a realistic, practicable and enduring political solution to the question of Western Sahara based on compromise.” Representatives of France, the United Kingdom, and Germany commended UN’s Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy Horst Köhler, for their efforts to sustain negotiations and inviting parties to convene again; they regretted, however, that the Council was unable to speak with one voice.