In the preamble of Resolution 1734, the Council paid tribute to UNIOSIL for its contribution towards post-conflict Sierra Leone. The Secretary-General Kofi Annan and President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah had recommended that the peacekeeping mission's mandate be extended until the end of 2007 so that preparations for general elections could take place. Council members considered the elections to be a "major milestone" in the history of the country.[2]