PSC/MIN/Comm.4(CLXIII) Page 3 15. Notes with concern that, in spite of all the efforts deployed so far, nearly two years after the decision to deploy AMISOM, the Mission is yet to reach its authorized strength of nine battalions. In this respect, Council expresses satisfaction at the readiness of the Government of Uganda and Burundi to contribute one additional battalion each, as well as the confirmation by Nigeria of its pledge of one battalion. Council calls on other Member States to contribute the troops and other personnel required for the Mission to reach its authorised strength; 16. Welcomes the support, both financial and logistical, provided so far by AU member States and partners, which made current AMISOM deployment possible and further calls on AU Member States and partners to provide the required logistical and financial support for the full deployment of AMISOM and the sustenance of its operations; 17. Pays tribute to Ethiopia for its invaluable contribution to the search for peace and reconciliation in Somalia and the sacrifices it made by maintaining its troops in Somalia for two years, pending the full deployment of AMISOM or that of an international stabilization force to be authorized by the United Nations Security Council; 18. Takes note of the decision of the Ethiopian Government to withdraw its troops from Somalia by the end of the year, in accordance with the Djibouti Agreement, and notes the new challenges posed by this withdrawal. In this respect, and taking into account that the withdrawal of the Ethiopian troops has already begun, Council requests the Commission to engage the Ethiopian Government as speedily as possible to ensure that all the necessary work with respect to transition is fully handled before the withdrawal of the Ethiopian troops is completed. Council further requests the Commission, in consultation with the Troop Contributing Countries to AMISOM, to develop a new concept of operations, which would provide for all the required arrangements, including in the areas of security, capacity building, logistics and funding. Council also requests the Commission to pursue and intensify its efforts aimed at ensuring the availability of the required resources upon which the Troop Contributing Countries will continue with the Mission after the withdrawal of the Ethiopian troops; 19. Reiterates the primary responsibility of the United Nations Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security. Council, once again, calls on the Security Council to immediately and without any further delay take the steps expected of it, in particular by authorizing the deployment of an international stabilisation force and, subsequently, that of a peace keeping operation to take over from AMISOM and support the long-term stabilisation and reconstruction of Somalia. Pending the deployment of such an operation, and since the continued stay of AMISOM forces will depend on the availability of the required resources, Council requests the United Nations Security Council to authorize a support package for AMISOM on the basis of the proposals contained in the letter addressed by the UN Secretary-General to the Security Council on 19 December 2008, bearing in mind the provisions of Chapter VIII of the UN Charter; 20. Expresses concern at the increasing acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia and its serious implication both for international maritime security and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Somalia. While expressing