UN likely to expand Golan peacekeeping force
British envoy says there is 'strong support' in Security Council to put more troops on the ground
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 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.
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