United Nations Security Council Resolution 1088 of 12 December 1996 authorised the establishment of the multinational stability force known as SFOR. SFOR's role is to help, in an even handed way, the parties to implement a peace accord to which they have freely agreed, and to contribute to a secure environment necessary for the consolidation and stabilisation of peace in the region. SFOR co-operates with the other agencies principally involved including the Office of the High Representative, currently Mr. Carl Bildt, the International Police Task Force, which includes a number of members of the Garda Síochána, the various UN agencies active in Bosnia including the UNHCR, the International Red Cross, and the OSCE. This co-operation covers a wide range of activities, notably maintaining local security, facilitating freedom of movement for the local population, and assisting the return of refugees. Security Council Resolution 1088 provided that SFOR would be in operation for a planned period of 18 months from December 1996.