Kigali – The UN Security Council has given the tribunal for Rwanda’s genocide until 2012 to finish all its cases.
The court, set up to try those most responsible for the genocide, was originally due to close in 2008 but some key suspects remain at large.
Rwanda has long complained that the tribunal is too slow and expensive.
The initial stages of the cases are supposed to end by June 2010, according to the latest extension.
The remaining 18 months are for appeals.
In his speech to the UN Security Council, ICTR president Dennis Byron said: “The mandate of the tribunal will not be fulfilled until those accused have been apprehended.”
In particular, he pointed to Felicien Kabuga, accused of financing the 1994 killings, who is believed to be living in Kenya.
Some 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in the 100-day massacre.