Norway demands release of UN peacekeepers

“It is absolutely unacceptable that Syrian rebels have taken UN peacekeepers hostage on the Golan Heights. They must be released immediately,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.  

The peacekeepers captured at the border between Syria and Israel on Wednesday were part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which was established by the UN Security Council in 1974 to monitor the tense situation between Syria and Israel. 

“Norway is concerned about the safety of the peacekeepers who have been taken hostage. It is completely unacceptable that personnel who have a mandate from the UN Security Council to maintain peace and security in the region should fall victim to the conflict in Syria. 

“The hostages must be released straight away. If this drags on, it will damage the standing of the whole Syrian opposition in the eyes of the international community. This incident is also likely to make it harder to reach agreement on Syria in the Security Council,” said Mr Eide.