UN mission completes regrouping of blue helmets in Eritrea
 

The UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) has completed the regrouping of UN peacekeepers and their equipment in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, this past weekend, said a UN spokesperson on Monday.

After more than a week of repeated blockages by Eritrean forces, UN peacekeepers in the Horn of Africa country have finally completed regrouping to Asmara, in preparation for their planned temporary relocation across the border to Ethiopia, said Michele Montas.

According to UNMEE, all staff have now left the Temporary Security Zone that separates the two countries, which fought a bloody border war that ended in 2000.

Except for 112 military personnel who are awaiting further instructions in the port city of Assab, all of the approximately 980 peacekeepers -- mainly from Jordanian, Indian and Kenyan battalions -- along with most military observers in the country are now in the capital city.

UNMEE decided to temporarily move its personnel from Eritrea after the country cut off diesel fuel supplies to the mission, paralyzing its operations.