July 31 (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution on Tuesday to authorize up to 26,000 troops and police for Sudan's western region of Darfur. The new U.N. operation is known as UNAMID, the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur

Following are main points of the resolution, number 1769:

-- Authorizes for an initial period of 12 months up to 19,555 military personnel and 6,432 international police.

-- Invokes Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter on the use of force. The new operation is authorized to take "necessary action," meaning force, to "protect its personnel, facilities, installations and equipment" (and) "to ensure the security and freedom of movement of its own personnel and humanitarian workers." Force could also be used to protect civilians.

-- Sets 30 days for member states to finalize contributions and for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to agree the final composition of the military component of the mission.

-- Says that no later than October the mission will establish its headquarters, including command and control structures, and establish financial arrangements to cover troop costs for the African Union force now in Darfur.

-- By Dec. 31, the new mission will assume authority from the 7,000-strong African Union force, which will be integrated into UNAMID.

-- The civilian head of the operation is Rodolphe Adada, former foreign minister of the Congo Republic. The force commander is Gen. Martin Agwai of Nigeria.

-- Requests Ban to report to the council within 30 days and every 30 days thereafter on progress, obstacles and arrangements for the new force.

-- Decides that UNAMID shall monitor any illegal arms present in Darfur, according to a 2004 resolution that forbids weapons shipments to rebel as well as pro-government militia.

-- Calls on all parties to the conflict in Darfur to immediately cease all hostilities and commit themselves to a permanent cease-fire.

-- Calls for initiatives leading to the return of displaced people to their villages, compensation and appropriate security arrangements.

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