08/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - European call for release of UN peacekeepers. “The EU considers any attacks on the UN or its personnel unacceptable and demands the immediate and unconditional release of the peacekeepers”, announced the spokesperson of High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton on 7 March. The announcement came as 21 peacekeepers from the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan had been detained by Syrian rebels. “The EU condemns arbitrary detentions and actions such as hostage-taking as they are serious breaches of international law”, the spokesperson said, adding that Ashton wants “good and swift cooperation of the parties to resolve the situation as soon as possible”. Ashton also calls on all the parties involved to refrain from any actions that may have negative effects on regional stability and to respect UN Security Council resolutions and the status of UNDOF. (CG/transl.fl)