UN staffer goes missing at Israeli-Syrian borderFebruary 26, 2013 - 09:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A member of the UN peacekeeping force charged with monitoring the ceasefire between Israeli and Syrian troops on the Golan Heights is missing, the United Nations said Monday, Feb 25, according to The Associated Press. UN deputy spokesman Eduardo del Buey would not say whether the missing person was a military or civilian member of the international or local staff. "We can confirm that a staff member is not accounted for and we are in touch with the relevant parties to determine what has happened," del Buey said. "We have no further comment at this time." Austria, Croatia, India, Japan and Philippines are currently contributing military personnel to the UN Disengagement Observer Force, known as UNDOF, according to the website of the UN Peacekeeping Department. It does not list the nationalities of civilian staff. The total force is comprised of around 1,150 people. The UN force was established in 1974 following the 1973 Yom Kippur war to monitor the disengagement of Israeli and Syrian forces and maintain the cease-fire. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 and Syria wants the land returned in exchange for peace. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned of escalating military activity along the Israeli-Syrian border as a result of the intensifying Syrian conflict, which has gone on for two years and cost more than 70,000 lives. In December, Ban accused the Syrian government of serious violations of the 1974 separation agreement and called on both countries to halt firing across the cease-fire line. He also cited numerous clashes between Syrian security forces and opposition fighters in the disengagement zone. In response, he said, UNDOF has adopted a number of security measures. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |