April 11, United Nations - General Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary Thursday welcomed establishment of a UN peacekeeping operation in the war-torn Central African Republic (CAR) by the Security Council.

"The secretary-general welcomes the adoption today of Security Council Resolution 2149, establishing the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA)," reported Xinhua citing a statement issued by the UN chief's spokesperson.

"He trusts that this important decision of the international community will lead to the immediate, concrete and sustainable support that the Central African people need and deserve," the statement added Ban as saying.

Under the new resolution, the Security Council created the peacekeeping force of up to 10,000 military personnel, including 240 military observers and 200 staff officers, and 1,800 police to bring peace and stability to the country, where violence between Christians and Muslims has led to fears of a possible genocide.(IANS)