New York  - The UN Security Council extended the mandate of the UN mission in Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR) for 12 months so it can pursue its tasks of securing peace and protect civilians in the region.

The UN mission will be reconfigured to adjust to its tasks and demands by the Chadian government. The mission is designed so it can take over the current 3,300 peacekeepers of the European Union deployed a year ago to the area when tensions arose between the two African nations.

The 15-nation council said the UN mission will be comprised of a maximum of 300 police officers, 25 military liaison officers and 5,200 troops and an appropriate civilian personnel.

The council said the UN mission will have a multidimensional presence in Chad and a military presence in CAR "intended to help create the security conditions conductive to a voluntary, secure and sustainable return of refugees and displaced persons."

The mission is charged with providing security and protection of civilians, regional peace support, and human rights and rule of law.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a report to the council that heavily armed bandits have threatened the UN mission, the civilian population and humanitarian operations in the region between Chad and CAR.

"The threat is criminal in nature," the report said. It said the bandits have made use of military firepower and possess heavy weapons.

"Countering this threat requires more than policing and calls for military deterrence," the report said. "In cases where this does not succeed, military intervention is required." dpa