UN says Syrian opposition abducted peacekeepers

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The UN Security Council on Wednesday demanded that Syrian rebel fighters release more than 20 UN peacekeepers abducted in the Golan Heights ceasefire zone.

UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous said that negotiations were being held with the abductors. According to diplomats, the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) peacekeepers are from the Philippines.

The Security Council "strongly condemned the detention of a group of more than 20 peacekeepers," said a statement read by the 15-nation body read to reporters by Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin. The statement added that the abduction was carried out "by armed elements of the Syrian opposition."

"The members of the Security Council demanded the unconditional and immediate release of all the detained UN 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," added the statement.