LOC20:41
17:41 GMT
BRUSSELS, Aug 29 (KUNA) -- The EU on Friday condemned the detention of 43 members from Fiji and the Philippines of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) serving along the cease-fire line between Syria and Israel on the Golan Heights at the hands of armed militants yesterday.
"We urge them (the captors) to release the peacekeepers immediately and unconditionally," said Michael Mann, spokesman for EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, in a statement.
He noted that the UN mission in the Golan Heights is making a crucial contribution to stability in the region and it must be allowed to continue its work without restriction or intimidation.
"We will continue to stand by the United Nations in their efforts to secure the release of the detained peacekeepers and restore the conditions to allow the continuation of the mission, including full freedom of movement," he added. (end)
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