Eritrea: Majority of UN peacekeepers now relocated to Asmara

27 February 2008, United Nations-- The spokesperson of the Secretary General of the UN today reported that the majority of UN peacekeepers from the Jordanian, Indian and Kenyan battalions, and most of UNMEE's military observers, have now relocated to Asmara, capital of Eritrea.

There have been no reported restrictions on relocation movements in Eritrea today of the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).

The eight UNMEE vehicles that were stopped by soldiers of the Eritrean Defence Force at a checkpoint yesterday were unable to load supplies as they had planned and returned to Asmara empty.

The remaining troops in the Temporary Security Zone are actively engaged in the packing and transportation of equipment and supplies destined for Asmara.

UNMEE has been instructed to regroup all personnel and equipment in Eritrea into Asmara, due to the lack of cooperation by Eritrean Authorities in the Mission's efforts to temporarily relocate into Ethiopia.