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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| PM: Negotiations Underway to Free Fijian Peacekeepers |
| 2014-08-30 |
| [AnNahar] Talks were underway Friday to release 43 Fijian peacekeepers taken hostage by Syrian rebels in the Golan Heights, the Pacific nation's Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said. Bainimarama said the peacekeepers were believed to be safe and his government was working closely with the United Nations ...a lucrative dumping ground for the relatives of dictators and party hacks... to secure their release. "The latest information we have is that they are safe and I can say now that the negotiations for their release have already begun," he said in a statement. "I want to assure the families of the soldiers we are doing everything possible to secure their safe return." Bainimarama said Fiji was "united as a nation in praying for their safe return". "These men are peacekeepers, not combatants in the Syrian conflict, and there is no need for them to be detained," he said. The Fijians, who were on duty in a U.N.-patrolled zone, were taken hostage by about 150 Syrian rebels on Thursday. About 75 Philippine peacekeepers who refused to surrender were involved in a tense standoff with gangs in the same area, Philippine officials said. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |