Syria’s humanitarian crisis is dramatic beyond description

The Security Council on Tuesday extended the mandate of the U.N. mission in Afghanistan for another year.The NATO-led international force is scheduled to leave Afghanistan next year US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice told the council that "an inclusive and credible presidential election in 2014 is critical for the country's future and to sustaining international assistance to the people of Afghanistan."The results of this election must produce an outcome that is legitimately accepted by the Afghan people," Rice told the council meeting"Broad participation and a credible process are essential to reaching the goal of a widely accepted leadership transition," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the meeting.