Release of Fijian peacekeepers greeted with warmth and pride

Transcript

The 45 Fijian UN peacekeepers detained by an al-Qaeda-affiliated rebel group are celebrating their freedom after two weeks in captvity.

The soldiers were taken in the Golan Heights and have been returned to Israeli-held territory where they were freed.

As Koro Vaka'uta reports, the news has been warmly greeted.

The families of the 45 can now celebrate after a briefing on Wednesday by the Fiji government first appeared to confirm the soldiers release only to be retracted hours later. Members of the al-Nusra Front captured the Fijians during clashes between rebels and Syrian government forces. The Fiji Prime Minister Rear Admiral Frank Bainimarama addressed the nation with the final outcome.

FRANK BAINIMARAMA: The 45 Fijian peacekeepers being detained in Syria have been released unharmed.  Our men will need to be debriefed and they obviously deserve a period of rest before they return to their duties but I know that they are keen to continue their mission.

Mr Bainimarama also thanked those who helped during the situation.

FRANK BAINIMARAMA: I know all Fijians join me in feeling a great sense of relief and joy as well as a deep appreciation for all those who had a hand in securing the safe release including the skilled group of UN negotiators and our superb team in New York and Suva who worked constantly behind the scenes to produce this outcome.  As a nation, we thank you.

The head of the military says the newly released soldiers are doing well. Brigadier General Mosese Tikoitoga says he has made contact with the group's senior officer.

MOSESE TIKOITOGA: I spoke to Captain Rabuka straight after they came across.  They were all in high spirits.  Then we spoke to them again.  They were in a grog ceremony after a welcome and service for them.  We could hear the singing in the background, all the laughter, so they are all back to Fijian moods.

Leading up to their capture, a group of soldiers from the Philippines managed to move out from the area of conflict.  General  Tikoitoga says as far as the Fijians are concerned, due to the numbers of forces encountered, the group's senior officer made the right choices.

MOSESE TIKOITOGA: Irrespective of what some people say, we continue to stand by that decision and we know he made the best decision under the circumstances that he's in.  With those decisions we have 45 of our soldiers still safe and alive.  Had he made any other decision other than any one he made, could easy have lost lives.     

He says the Fijian forces retained their integrity as representatives of the UN. Rear Admiral Bainimarama says their presence in the Middle East is something to be proud of.

FRANK BAINIMARANA: During this ordeal the courage of the families have been remarkable.  They were naturally distressed and anxious during this difficult time but they never once questioned why their loved ones were sent to the Golan Heights in the first place.  They know better than anyone else that our mission is to bring peace and security to people living in troubled areas around the world.

Rear Admiral Bainimarama says the 45 soldiers are heroes and he expects they will return to duty after medical assessments until their mission ends in June 2015.