UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council has voted unanimously to extend the NATO-led force in Afghanistan and is urging its troops and U.S.-led forces to take additional "robust efforts" to minimize civilian casualties.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has long complained that civilian deaths caused by U.S. or NATO military action undermine his government and the international mission.

The resolution approved Monday recognizes the increased threats posed by Afghanistan's former Taliban rulers, al-Qaida and other extremist groups, and the challenges in dealing with them.

But at the same time, the council expressed "its serious concern with the high number of civilian casualties in this context.