AFGHANISTAN - Dec. 20 - UN Approves Multinational Security Force.

The UN Security Council unanimously approves a British-led peacekeeping force and authorises its deployment in Kabul and its environs. Under the resolution, the force will have 1,000 troops initially and likely grow to 5,000. Interim PM Hamid Karzai backed the UN over the peacekeepers. But Defence Minister Mohammad Fahim said in an interview before the UN vote: "They [the peacekeepers] are here because they want to be. But their presence is as a symbol. The security is the responsibility of Afghans. They have no right to disarm anyone". Some new government ministers returning from exile "feel they need the peacekeepers for protection, but when they arrive here they will see that the situation is OK and that it is not necessary". He said the international force would eventually number 3,000 troops. Only a third of those would have a peacekeeping role, while the rest would assist with humanitarian aid and act as a reserve. (Interim FM Abdullah Abdullah had initially opposed giving peacekeepers authority to use force, but last week he sent the Security Council his government's agreement to deploying the peacekeepers under UN Chapter 7, which allows use of force). British UN Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock played down the differences, saying the force's objectives were to "work with the Afghans", although he added: "We've got authority to look after ourselves and to preserve the mandate". He added it would be a "unified force", with all troops involved in peacekeeping. British PM Blair said the peacekeeping force Britain is leading will remain "quite distinct" from forces still engaged in fighting the remains of the Taliban and Al Qaida or in the search for their leaders. Diplomats put the size of the first deployment at 70 to 165 troops. The Czech Republic's Senate approved sending 200 troops for the force, and Greece offered more than 100 soldiers. France, Spain and Turkey are also to offer contributions.