The United Nations Observer Mission in Sierria Leone (UNOMSIL) was established on 13 July 1998 to monitor the military and security situation in Sierra Leone, as well as the disarmament and demobilization of former combatants. It was also asked to assist in monitoring respect for international humanitarian law. UNOMSIL was terminated on 22 October 1999, when the Security Council authorized deployment of a new and significantly larger peacekeeping operation -- the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL).