The UN Security Council on Monday unanimously agreed to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) until November 15.

The 15-member council stressed that continued cooperation between the Sudanese government and the government of South Sudan is also critical for peace, security and stability and the future relations between them.

The council further called upon Sudan and South Sudan to establish the Abyei Area Administration and Council, while urging the two countries to resolve the deadlock over the composition of the Council.

Sudan and South Sudan are disputing the oil-rich Abyei, an area inhabited by Sudan's Arab Misseryia tribe and South Sudan's Ngok Dinka tribe.

In October 2013, the Ngok Dinka tribe conducted a unilateral popular referendum, in which the vast majority of people voted to join South Sudan. However, neither Sudan nor South Sudan recognized the plebiscite so far.