UN observers evacuated to safety after convoy hit by bomb

A team of international observers who are supposed to be enforcing a ceasefire were evacuated from a town in northern Syria after their convoy was hit by a roadside bomb, a UN spokesman said.

By The Newsroom

Published 17th May 2012, 07:00 BST

Syria-based UN official Hassan Seklawi said UN members picked up the team after they were apparently stranded in the town of Khan Sheikhoun overnight with members of the opposition.

The UN said rebel forces gave the six observers shelter in the town, which has witnessed anti-government protests since an uprising against president Bashar Assad’s regime began in March last year.

Major General Robert Mood, the Norwegian head of the UN team, told reporters earlier that he had spoken to the observers in Khan Sheikhoun by telephone and that they “told us that they are happy and safe where they are”.

A spokesman for international peace envoy Kofi Annan said the observers were caught up in the explosion as they met the rebel Free Syrian Army. He said no observers were injured.

The ceasefire has been repeatedly violated by both sides since it took effect on April 12.

Syria