The U.N. peacekeeping chief says a new U.N. force could start deploying in Mali as scheduled on July 1 if security conditions remain as they are today.

Herve Ladsous told reporters Wednesday that the security situation will remain "under very close scrutiny on a real time basis" and it will be up to the U.N. Security Council to make a final decision around June 25.

In late April, the council authorized a U.N. force comprising 11,200 military personnel and 1,440 international police to replace a 6,000-member African-led mission now in Mali on July 1. It said the date could be delayed if security conditions deteriorate.