Fiji’s mixed messages over status of captured U.N peacekeepers

Fiji on Wednesday retracted a claim that 45 U.N. peacekeepers being held hostage in the Golan Heights by Syrian Al-Nusra Front rebels were about to be released, blaming a communications mix-up. The government deleted posts on official social media feeds trumpeting the impending release on Wednesday morning, and then released a statement saying negotiations with the rebels were continuing. The peacekeepers were taken hostage two weeks ago when al-Qaeda-linked Al-Nusra fighters stormed a crossing at the Golan Heights. The U.N. sent a specialist negotiating team from New York to hold talks with the rebels, who had moved the Fijians to an undisclosed location after capturing them.

Someone has misinterpreted.

Government spokesman, Dan Gavidi

Last week, the Fijian military said the rebels were demanding the removal of the Al-Nusra Front from a UN terror blacklist and humanitarian aid for a town just outside Damascus that is an Al-Nusra stronghold. Unconfirmed reports in Fiji’s media added that the hostage takers also wanted the release of Abu Mussab al-Suri, also known as Mustafa Setmariam Nasar, an Al-Qaeda leader who was arrested in Pakistan in 2005 and is now being held by Syrian authorities. The Fijian peacekeepers are part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which has been stationed in the Golan Heights since 1974 to monitor a ceasefire between Israel and Syria.

Middle East