NEW YORK, UN (PANA) - The UN Security Council has expressed its full support for the weekend military operation to rescue 223 peacekeepers surrounded by Sierra Leonean rebels.

The UN also announced late Monday that an Indian peacekeeper lost his life while six other Indian peacekeepers were wounded during the operation.

The name of the dead soldier was given as Sgt. Krishan Kumar.

In a statement after receiving a brief on the operation, Security Council president Patricia Durrant of Jamaica said the council it was satisfied with the successful outcome of the operation by the UN peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone, known as UNAMSIL.

The operation, the council observed, recorded minimum casualties among UN personnel, who it said displayed professionalism, determination and robustness.

It has commended the Indian contingent of UNAMSIL that led the operation and the Nigerian and Ghanaian contingents that provided the flank and rear support during the operation.

It also expressed appreciation to the UK for logistic support for the operation.

"The council believes that there is now a firm foundation on which UNAMSIL can build as it continues to implement its mandate in Sierra Leone," it said.

The rescued UN peacekeepers, most of them of the Indian contingent, had been surrounded in their camp in Kailahun, north-eastern Sierra Leone, for about two and a half months.

Following recent refusal by the rebels of the Revolutionary United Front to allow new food and medical supplies to their surrounded peacekeepers, UNAMSIL Saturday launched the military operation to gain their freedom.

Agreeing with the decision of the UN secretary general to launch the operation, the council said the hostile attitude of the rebels to the peacekeepers was intolerable.

In the given circumstances, it added, the force commander, Maj Gen. Jetley of India, had no choice but to take resolute action.

In a statement, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan commended Jetley and his staff for the military operation.

He expressed hope that efforts would be directed towards establishing conducive conditions for the resumption of the peace process.

The peace process, set in motion a year ago under an agreement between the government and the rebels in Lome, Togo, broke down in early May following rebel assault on peacekeepers in an attempt to seize power by force.

The rebel leader, Foday Sankoh, who escaped after the attack, was captured in June and is now in government custody.

The Security Council is considering a resolution that will authorise his trial for humanitarian crimes committed during the war, particularly after the peace agreement of 10 July 1999.

The rebels have committed serious atrocities against civilians, including massacres, amputations, torture, rape and sexual slavery, among others.