Peacekeepers to remain in Golan Heights until end of year

The UN Security Council has decided today to keep the peacekeepers mission UNDOF on the Golan Heights (disputed territory between Syria and Israel) until the end of the year. In addition, it outlined a series of measures to strengthen the contingent and voiced the demand for the Syrian opposition to stop fighting in the area. The number of UNDOF will be increased to 1,250 people.

"It is fundamentally important for us to include in the text of the resolution the thesis that there should not be military activities of the armed opposition in the zone of separation," RIA Novosti quotes Russian ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin. The Security Council, according to him, made a request to the Member States "to send a signal to the opposition to stop activities endangering the UN personnel."

Churkin also said that UN will further strengthen its positions, patrols will be downsized to a safe minimum and soldiers better armed.