UN condemns detention of Fijians; 58 Filipino peacekeepers moved to safety | Global News

UN condemns detention of Fijians; 58 Filipino peacekeepers moved to safety

/ 07:59 AM August 30, 2014

Ban Ki-moon

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday condemned the detention of 43 Fijian peacekeepers in the Golan Heights by Syrian rebels, who had also laid seige on two camps occupied by Filipino peacekeepers.

“I call for their immediate and unconditional release as well as action for the scores of peacekeepers from the Philippines who are also affected,” Ban said in Bali, Indonesia.

Article continues after this advertisement

He said the United Nations would do everything possible to secure the release of the soldiers.

FEATURED STORIES

The United Nations also ordered 58 other Filipino peacekeepers moved to safer ground amid the standoff between 75 Filipino peacekeepers in UN Disengagement Observer Force (Undof) Area Positions 68 and 69 and Syrian rebels in the Golan Heights.

Filipino troops in Area Position 60 were moved to Undof headquarters in Camp Faouar.

Article continues after this advertisement

The movement, involving seven officers and 51 enlisted personnel, was completed at around 12:30 p.m. Syrian time. Manila is ahead by five hours.

Article continues after this advertisement

 

Article continues after this advertisement

Negotiations going on

Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr., spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the standoff in Positions 68 and 69 continued but negotiations for an end to the confrontation were in progress.

Article continues after this advertisement

“The peacekeeping forces were ordered to consolidate their forces,” Tutaan said. Reports from Julie M. Aurelio and AP

RELATED STORIES

 

In the know: Filipino peacekeepers

AFP chief: No regrets not pulling out troops sooner in Golan Heights

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Another PH peacekeeping team told to return to UN battalion headquarters

TAGS: Bali, Ban Ki-moon, Filipino peacekeepers, Golan Heights, Indonesia, Syrian rebels, UNDOF, United Nations

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.