WORLD_ Syrian rebels issue demands for hostages' release

Syrian rebels issue demands for hostages' release

Al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front demands to be taken off United Nations terrorist list in return for freeing 45 Fijian peacekeepers

Associated Press in Suva, Fiji
theguardian.com, Tuesday 2 September 2014 17.27 AEST




A UN peacekeeper from Fiji crossing into Syria. Negotiations are continuing over the release of 45 hostages seized last Thursday. Photograph: Baz Ratner/Reuters


Syrian rebels have issued three demands for the release of 45 Fijian peacekeepers they've held captive for five days, Fiji's military commander has said.

Brig Gen. Mosese Tikoitoga said the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front wants to be taken off the United Nations terrorist list, humanitarian aid delivered to the capital Damascus, and compensation for three of its fighters it says were killed in a shootout with UN officers.

Tikoitoga did not say if the demands would be seriously considered. He said the UN had sent hostage negotiators to Syria to take over discussions from military leaders.

"Negotiations have moved up to another level with the professional negotiators now in place," he said.

The Nusra Front abducted the Fijian soldiers on Thursday and is holding them at an unknown location. The same day the rebels also surrounded two Filipino units serving in the UN mission that monitors the buffer zone between Israel and Syria, but the Filipino troops escaped over the weekend.

On Tuesday, Tikoitoga also released the names of the 45 detained soldiers, who he said are led by Capt Savenaca Siwatibau Rabuka.

The commander asked Fiji's community and church leaders to help look after the families of the captive troops and asked the public to offer support.

"I appeal to all Fijians that while we pray for our soldiers in Syria that we be sensitive to the families," he said, adding that "the UN has assured us they will use all of their available resources for the safe return of our soldiers"

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