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Qatar mediated the release of Fijian UN peacekeepers

September 12, 2014 at 3:53 pm

The release of 45 Fijian UN peacekeepers in the Golan Heights was down to Qatar’s mediation, Doha announced.

A statement by the Qatari foreign ministry said that Qatar mediated following a request from the government of Fiji.

The hostages were held by Al-Nusra Front for two weeks. The statement added that the soldiers have been handed over to Filipino UN forces via the Quneitra crossing in the Golan Heights, two-thirds of which has been occupied by Israel since 1967.

The efforts were led by the crown prince of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Earlier yesterday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced the release of 45 Fijian peacekeepers abducted by Al-Nusra Front on August 30.

Al-Nusra Front confirmed via its Twitter accounts that the troops had been released.