Annan calls for extension of the UNDOF in the Golan

The secretary general of the UN, Kofi Annan, yesterday asked the UN security council to renew the mission of the UN force in charge of disengagement of forces between Syria and Israel for 6 months, describing the deployment of this force as "basic."

In his report to the UN security council Annan said that "despite the fact the situation between Syria and Israel is calm, however, the situation in the Middle East continues to be very tense and will continue to be so unless a comprehensive solution is attained dealing with all aspects of the problem."

Annan continued "in the current conditions, I consider it is basic to keep the disengagement force." Annan recommended the extension of UNDOF for six months period expiring on December 31st. The current redeployment phase expires on June 30th.

According to the UN, UNDOF included until March 31st 1042 troops under the leadership of the Swedish B. Warnker with an annual budget of USD 40 million.

Annan's report indicated two separate incidents in the area of UNDOF redeployment in which UN troops interfered. Annan said the first incident was registered in Shebaa farms "near Lebanon where a violent action took place," and to a "fire incident to the west of the ceasefire line where one Syrian soldier was killed and another was captured by the Israeli forces and the UN troops interfered to release him."