Ban, UN Council deplore detention of peacekeepers

United Nations, Aug 29 (IANS/WAM) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council have strongly condemned the detention of UN peacekeepers serving in the Golan amid increased fighting in the area between Syrian government forces and armed rebels, and demanded their immediate release.

The 43 Fijian peacekeepers from the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) were detained by armed militants of the opposition in the vicinity of Al Qunaytirah, according to the world body.

Eighty-one more peacekeepers are currently being restricted to their positions in the vicinity of Ar Ruwayhinah and Burayqah.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ban Thursday called for the immediate release of the detained peacekeepers, as well as for the immediate lifting of the restrictions on the movement of the force.

The Security Council made a similar call in a press statement: "The members of the Security Council demanded the unconditional and immediate release of all the detained United Nations peacekeepers and called upon all parties to cooperate with UNDOF in good faith to enable it to operate freely and to ensure full security of its personnel."

"They called on countries with influence to strongly convey to the armed members of the opposition in the UNDOF area of operation to immediately release the peacekeepers."

UNDOF peacekeepers were previously detained by armed militants in March and May of 2013 and were released safely.

"The United Nations is making every effort to secure the release of the detained peacekeepers, and to restore full freedom of movement of the Force throughout its area of operation," Stephane Dujarric, UN spokesperson, told reporters in New York.

Peacekeepers serving with UNDOF monitor the 1974 disengagement accord between Syria and Israel after their 1973 war. In June, the Security Council extended the mission's mandate until Dec 31, 2014.

As of July 31, 2014, there are 1,223 peacekeepers from six countries - Fiji, India, Ireland, Nepal, Netherlands, and the Philippines - serving in UNDOF.

--IANS/WAM

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