'We are safe and well-treated:' Kidnapped U.N. peacekeeper tells Al Arabiya
The U.N. peacekeepers held by the Syrian Free Army in the southern Syrian village of Jamla are in a "safe place and are well-treated," one of the hostages told Al Arabiya television in an interview early on Saturday.
The peacekeeper, who identified himself as Michael, said he spoke on behalf of the 20 others, adding that they were told their release will be at 7:30 in the morning.
A convoy of U.N. vehicles that was sent to pick them up on Friday pulled out when the army shelled the area, a watchdog said Friday.
"When the U.N. vehicles entered into Jamla, the Syrian army shelled a nearby village. The U.N. cars then withdraw from Jamla," said Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman, who said earlier that the group was willing to hand over their captives.
The men are part of the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which has been monitoring a ceasefire line between Syria and Israel on the Golan Heights since 1974.
Their capture just a mile (1.6 km) from Israeli-held lines is further evidence of how Syria's conflict, nearing its second anniversary, could spill over into neighboring countries.
In New York, U.N. peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous said Jamla was under intense bombardment from army forces, though he did not specify whether he was referring to the village or areas surrounding Jamla.
Ladsous also said he hoped a possible ceasefire would lead to the freeing of the peacekeepers, who have been held by rebels since Wednesday.
The U.N. Disengagement Observer Force has been tasked since 1974 with ensuring a ceasefire between Israel and Syria is respected in the Golan Heights, large parts of which are occupied by the Jewish state.
09 Mar, 2013
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Source: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/2013/03/09/-We-are-safe-and-well-treated-Kidnapped-U-N-peacekeeper-tells-Al-Arabiya.html
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