The United Nations Security Council on Thursday unanimously agreed to extend the U.N. mission in Afghanistan for another year.
The 15-member council's approval focuses on improving U.N. coordination with the Afghan government and NATO-led forces fighting Taliban insurgents.
The resolution also empowers the new U.N. special envoy in Afghanistan - Norwegian diplomat Kai Eide - to directly coordinate support provided by international donors to the Afghan government.
A lack of coordination among dozens of aid agencies has led to failed reconstruction projects.
The United States and Britain hailed the adoption of the resolution.
Meanwhile, violence in Afghanistan continues. An exchange of gunfire between British troops and Afghan police in southern Helmand province Thursday left an Afghan policeman dead.
Local officials say British soldiers opened fire on the policemen patrolling in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital. The incident is under investigation.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
