UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Friday commended the signing of a pact between the Malian government and the United Nations that aims to support the implementation of a 2015 inner-Malian peace deal.

In a press statement, the council "took positive note" of the provisions of the Pact for Peace, signed on Monday, that "reiterate the commitment of the United Nations to fully support the implementation of" the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali.

The council also welcomed recent renewed commitment of the government and the armed groups to accelerate the implementation of the agreement, and called upon all stakeholders to unite their efforts in the aftermath of President Keita's reelection and work together to promote sustainable peace, human rights, and tackle the security and development challenges.

Conflict in northern Mali started in 2012, but the security situation remains volatile with an increased number of incidents in 2018 despite the signing of the peace deal brokered by Algeria, in particular in the central parts of the country.

In Friday's statement, the council stressed the urgency for the Malian government and the armed groups to take unprecedented steps to "fully and expeditiously" deliver on their remaining obligations in the agreement.

Moreover, it underlined that stabilization of the situation in central Mali requires an integrated plan encompassing simultaneous pursuit of progress on security, governance, development, reconciliation, as well as protection and promotion of human rights.