The Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has directed the Republic of Fiji Military Forces to put pressure on the negotiation system for the release of our 45 UN peacekeepers.
Army Commander Brigadier General Mosese Tikoitoga said Major General Iowane Naivalurua will travel to New York on Monday to help put pressure on the UN System.
Brigadier General Tikoitoga said at the same time they are sending a team to Syria to join the negotiators that will be led by Land Force Commander, Lieutenant‑Colonel Jone Kalouniwai.
Tikoitoga said they are still unable to locate the 45 Fijian soldiers, however, the negotiators are working hard to re-establish communication with the Al-Nusra Front rebels since they have not made any more contacts with the negotiation team.
He added that although there is not much change to the situation the other UN peacekeepers remain positive on the ground in Syria and they continue to do the work they are sent out for.
Meanwhile, the Commander has brushed aside reports made by an overseas media outlet that the Al-Nusra front rebels have threatened to put the 45 peacekeepers on trial under the Islamic Sharia law if their demands are not met.
Brigadier General Tikoitoga added that the Sharia Law only applies to the Muslim religion and it does not carry any merit.
