UN likely to expand Golan peacekeeping force

June 18, 2013 @ 2:44 pm

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The Security Council president says the U.N. is likely to expand its peacekeeping force in the disputed Golan Heights with more troops and heavy weapons.

British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant says there is "strong support" in the council for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's proposal to expand the 913-member force to 1,250.

The force was established in 1974 to monitor the disengagement of Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan.

Grant said Tuesday that Russia and the U.S. will circulate a resolution to renew the force's mandate.

Grant also said Fiji is likely sending troops by the end of July to replace Austrian peacekeepers who are withdrawing after fighting from Syria's civil war threatened their positions. He said some Fijians are arriving shortly to replace Croatian peacekeepers who withdrew in March.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
More National News
Top Stories

  • Sopranos Star Dies at 51
    James Gandolfini, the actor famous for "The Sopranos", died suddenly in Italy

  • More to the Story
    Liberace's ex-lover says the world will hear more of his story, and Michael Jackson's in there

  • A Skeptic's Doubts
    An ESPN columnist doubts Russell Wilson will ever be elite
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (1)


  • Add A Comment

  • cigarfan wrote...
    Maybe Syria will regain its land .......
    June 12, 2013 10:49 am
    I'm sure the US & Israel are pressuring the UN ....but at least legitimate deed owners -are addressing the injustices of decades past land theft. The cease-fire is only supported by those who stand to gain by annexing land by force aka "might makes right. "
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }