The Security Council remained concerned about hostilities in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, including North and South Kivu and Ituri Province.[2] It reiterated its support for the peace process, and for the multinational force, Operation Artemis. Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council approved the Secretary-General Kofi Annan's decision to authorise countries participating in Operation Artemis (which was due to end on 1 September) to assist the MONUC contingent in the town of Bunia and immediate surroundings if requested to do so by MONUC.[3]
Kofi Annan said the decision was necessary in case the situation became volatile in Bunia during the transitional period from the multinational force to MONUC.[1]
^McCormack, T.; McDonald, Avril (2006). Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law – 2003, Volume 6; Volume 2003. Cambridge University Press. p. 273. ISBN978-90-6704-203-1.