UN peacekeepers briefly held by Syria armed group, report

Several U.N. military observers were briefly taken hostage by an unknown armed group in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights just three days after Syrian rebels released four U.N. peacekeepers, a U.N. official said on Thursday. (more…)

UN General Assembly Approves Syria Resolution

The U.N. General Assembly approved an Arab-backed resolution Wednesday calling for a political transition in Syria and strongly condemning President Bashar Assad’s regime for its escalating use of heavy weapons.

The resolution, which is not legally binding, was adopted by a vote of 107-12 with 59 abstentions. (more…)

Edible insects , UN’s new weapon to fight hunger

The U.N. has new weapons to fight hunger, boost nutrition and reduce pollution, and they might be crawling or flying near you right now: edible insects.

The Food and Agriculture Organization on Monday hailed the likes of grasshoppers, ants and other members of the insect world as an underutilized food for people, (more…)

UN chief praises Qatar role in release of 4 peacekeepers

Qatar played a key role negotiating the release of four Filipino peacekeepers seized by Syrian rebels in the UN patrolled Golan Heights ceasefire zone, UN officials and diplomats said Sunday. (more…)

Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade frees the 4 UN peacekeepers

The Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade has freed the four Filipino UN peacekeepers that were kidnapped from the demilitarised zone between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday

More Filipino UN peacekeepers ‘held by Syrian rebels’

A group of Syrian rebels have used their Facebook page to announce that they are holding four Filipino UN peacekeepers in the demilitarised zone between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. (more…)

4 UN peacekeepers detained by Syria rebels

The United Nations says four peacekeepers have been detained by armed men while patrolling on the Golan Heights in an area separating Syria and Israel.

Kieran Dwyer, spokesman for the U.N. peacekeeping department, said the four peacekeepers, all from the Philippines, were taken by an unidentified armed group (more…)

Frustrated Brahimi to quit as Syria peace envoy

Syria peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is on the verge of quitting amid growing frustration at deadlocked international efforts to end the worsening conflict, diplomats said Wednesday.

Brahimi is “itching to resign but being persuaded to hang on for a few more days, (more…)

World leaders unite around Syria’s chemical weapons

British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Friday that growing evidence of the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime was “extremely serious”.

He agreed with U.S. President Barack Obama that such use would represent a “red line” for the international community, but said the response would likely be political rather than military. (more…)

Merkel praises Suleiman for preserving stability in Lebanon

German Chancellor Angela Merkel telephoned President Michel Suleiman, lauding his role in preserving stability in Lebanon and hoping that a new cabinet would be formed soon, Baabda palace said Friday.

A presidential statement said that Merkel also expressed support to Lebanon’s call for a U.N.-led international conference to discuss the issue of Syrian refugees. (more…)