Security Council Press Statement on United Nations Disengagement Observer Force

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Mark Lyall Grant (United Kingdom):

The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the detention of 43 United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) peacekeepers from within the area of separation in the vicinity of position 27, as well as the surrounding of positions 68 and 69, which are manned by 81 UNDOF peacekeepers, earlier today by Security Council-designated terrorist groups and by members of non-State armed groups.

The members of the Security Council demanded the unconditional and immediate release of all the detained United Nations peacekeepers and called upon all parties to cooperate with UNDOF in good faith to enable it to operate freely and to ensure full security of its personnel.  They called upon countries with influence to strongly convey to the armed members of the opposition in the UNDOF area of operation to immediately release the peacekeepers.  They stressed that there should be no military forces in the area of separation other than those of UNDOF, and further reiterated their condemnation for the increased use by elements of the Syrian opposition and other groups of improvised explosive devices in the UNDOF area of operation, which threaten the safety and security of United Nations personnel.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their unconditional support for UNDOF.

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For information media • not an official record