The 10 Fijian soldiers of the UN Multinational Force and Observers who were blocked at a checkpoint by the Bedouin tribesmen in Sinai earlier today, are safe and well.
RFMF Land Force Commander, Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga stressed that it was a roadblock incident, and media reports from the BBC and other overseas outlets are distorted.
International media reported the 10 were kidnapped by Bedouins and they were demanding authorities to free fellow tribesmen from prison.
Colonel Tikoitoga clarified that the tribesmen stopped the soldiers at a checkpoint and fired warning shots.
However, intense negotiations were held for more than one hour and the Fijian soldiers were allowed to go through.
He said the good relations between the Fijian soldiers and the local community resulted in the positive outcome.
The MFO mission was set up as part of the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel which returned Sinai to Egyptian control.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
