In the preamble of the resolution, the Security Council praised the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to build peace in the subregion and to countries contributing towards UNAMSIL. It welcomed progress made towards benchmarks for the drawdown of UNAMSIL in accordance with resolutions 1436 (2002) and 1492 (2003). At the same time, the Council noted that progress towards the benchmarks was fragile and there were concerns about security and the capabilities of the Sierra Leone Police.