New York  - The UN Security Council decided unanimously on Thursday to keep its peacekeeping mission in East Timor for another 12 months, noting that the political and security situation there remains fragile.

Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta appeared before the council last week to urge continued UN assistance to the tiny southeast Asian island nation.

The council said the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) will remain until February 26, 2010, with the same composition of nearly 3,000 police and civilian personnel. The mission has been providing security to the country and training to local forces.

The UN was first involved 10 years ago in helping East Timor to gain independence from Indonesia and in organizing elections to establish the current government.

Ramos-Horta's government is scheduled to organize local elections this year and has called on the international community to lend assistance for the democratic process. (dpa)