The United Nations Security Council on Monday warned against a "premature withdrawal" of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Noting that Somali forces "are not yet ready to fully take responsibility for the country's security," Kairat Umarov, Kazakhstan's permanent representative to the UN and also chair of the Security Council Somalia and Eritrea Sanctions Committee, said that "the arms embargo should not be completely lifted until Somalia undergoes political and security reforms," while briefing the Security Council on the work of the Somalia and Eritrea Sanctions Committee, followed by consultations.

The Security Council on Monday renewed its authorization of AMISOM for another 10 months, deciding to reduce uniformed personnel to 20,626 by Feb. 28, 2019, and cautioning against any further delay in lowering that number beyond that date.

AMISOM was created by the AU in January 2007. Its mandate won the approval of the Security Council. As part of its duties, AMISOM also supports the Federal Government of Somalia's forces in their battle against Al-Shabaab militants.

Xinhua