UN peacekeepers detained in Syria are safe-Fijian leader

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Over two hundred Nepalese peacekeepers arrive in Juba from the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), to reinforce the military component of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). UN Photo/Isaac Billy
Over two hundred Nepalese peacekeepers arrive in Juba from the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), to reinforce the military component of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). UN Photo/Isaac Billy

A group of 43 UN peacekeepers from Fiji being detained by militant rebels in Syria is safe, as negotiations with their captors for their release continues, Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said Friday.

Over two hundred Nepalese peacekeepers arrive in Juba from the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), to reinforce the military component of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). UN Photo/Isaac Billy

“The Fijian government is working closely with the United Nations for the release of the 43 Fijian peacekeepers,” Bainimarama said in a statement.

“The latest information we have is that they are safe and I can say now that the negotiations for their release have already begun.”

Rebels, believed to belong to the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front, captured the Fijian soldiers Thursday on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, along the border with Israel.

The movement of a number of Filippino peacekeepers in the area was also reportedly restricted by the rebels.

The incident occurred in the town of Quneitra, where Islamist rebels Wednesday seized Syria’s only border crossing with Israel, triggering a heavy bombardment by Syrian regime jets.

A UN source in Beirut told dpa that efforts were being made for the “unconditional release” of the captured peacekeepers.

“The UN is working around the clock and talks are under way to secure their unconditional release and safe return,” the source said on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Syrian state television Friday quoted an unnamed official at the Foreign Ministry as condemning the kidnappings.

“The terrorist organizations and whoever backing them are fully responsible for the safety of the kidnapped soldiers,” the official said.

At least 75 Filipino peacekeepers posted in the Golan Heights had refused to give up their arms to the rebels during Thursday’s incident, Philippine spokesman Major General Domingo Tutaan said.

“Our soldiers are prepared, trained and capable of dealing with these situations and will take risks to fulfil our commitment to international security and peace,” Tutaan said in Manila on Friday.

“We are in direct communication with our peacekeepers and the UN force headquarters in the Golan Heights as options and contingency plans are being drawn and considered.”

The Philippines has a total of 331 soldiers and police officers deployed with the UN Disengagement Force in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights.

Last year, the Philippines demanded better security for its troops in UN peacekeeping missions after 25 of them were captured by Syrian rebels in separate incidents.

Thursday’s incident is the third this year targeting UN peacekeepers in Golan. In the previous two incidents, the soldiers were released unharmed.

 

 

GNA
PDC

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