Released Fijian peacekeepers welcomed back to UN Golan mission

All the 45 recently released Fijian blue helmets were welcomed back to a camp of the UN force in the Golan Heights, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Friday.

"The 45 previously-detained Fijian peacekeepers in the Golan were welcomed back yesterday (Thursday) to the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) Camp Faouar by the Force Commander, Lieutenant General Iqbal Singh Singha, as well as other mission colleagues," Xinhua quoted Dujarric as saying at a press briefing.

"The 45 soldiers have undergone a medical assessment," he said.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Thursday welcomed the release of the 45 UN peacekeepers that had been forcibly taken Aug 28 in the Golan and detained by armed groups.

The world body had announced that the 45 Fijian peacekeepers were released Thursday afternoon in the Golan Heights and "are in good condition".

The peacekeepers, who serve with the UNDOF, were detained two weeks ago by armed elements of the opposition in the vicinity of Al Qunaytirah amid increased fighting in the area between Syrian government forces and armed groups.

The Fijian group is part of the UN peacekeepers serving with UNDOF which monitors the 1974 disengagement accord between Syria and Israel after their 1973 war. In June, the UN Security Council extended the mission's mandate until December 31, 2014.

There are 1,223 peacekeepers from six countries -- Fiji, India, Ireland, Nepal, Netherlands, and the Philippines -- serving in UNDOF.