- Title: JORDAN: Freed U.N. peacekeepers will be handed over to U.N.
- Date: 9th March 2013
- Summary: AMMAN, JORDAN (MARCH 9, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FILIPINO U.N. PEACEKEEPERS SEATED FOR NEWS CONFERENCE, PHILIPPINES FLAG ON UNIFORM (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.N. RESIDENT COORDINATOR TO JORDAN, CONSTANZA FARINA, SPEAKING, SOUNDBITE BEGINS OVER IMAGE OF CAMERAS. FARINA SAYING: "The Secretary General and all the United Nations colleagues were extremely relieved to know that
- Embargoed: 24th March 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Jordan
- Country: Jordan
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA4K1VSEPW79HL763WL91V68VF7
- Story Text: Twenty-one United Nations peacekeepers held by rebels for three days in southern Syria arrived in the Jordanian capital Amman on Saturday (March 9).
Representatives from the U.N. and Jordan's armed forces told a news conference they were relieved that the peacekeepers are safe.
"The Secretary General and all the United Nations colleagues were extremely relieved to know that the peacekeepers are safe and in good health in this very hospitable country which is Jordan," said Constanza Farina from the U.N.
"Thank God for their safety, and thank God that they arrived in Jordan. And, God willing, they will be handed over tonight to the United Nations," said Mishal Ziben, the head of the Jordanian Armed Forces.
The Filipino peacekeepers - part of the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) that has been monitoring a ceasefire line between Syria and Israel in the Golan Heights since 1974 - were seized by the Martyrs of Yarmouk rebel brigade on Wednesday (March 6).
They were taken by the rebels on Saturday to the Jordanian border, about 10 km (6 miles) south of the village of Jamla where they had been held since being captured.
The peacekeepers were then driven to the capital Amman. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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