UN contingency plan to deploy up to 10,000 peacekeepers in Syria

[ApfelGanja]

The UN is considering the deployment of 4,000 to 10,000 peacekeepers in Syria as an emergency measure, reports Russian press, citing UN sources. This comes as the US along with over 100 countries voice support for the nascent Syrian Coalition.

The UN is putting together a contingency plan should the Security Council give the go-ahead for involvement in the embattled nation.

The source went on to say that the team of peacemakers would be made up of observers and civilian units as well as troops. The civilian mission would ensure that basic human rights are being observed in Syria.

UN-Arab League envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi has signaled the need for a peacekeeper mission to the embattled nation to push for a ceasefire between opposition groups and government forces.

Germany and the Netherlands will deploy Patriot missiles on the Turkish-Syrian border at the beginning of 2013 as part of a NATO deal to minimize fallout from the conflict into Turkey.

According to reports the deal also stipulates the deployment of 400 American troops and two patriot missile batteries along the Turkish-Syria border.

NATO has assured that the missiles are purely for defensive purposes and the protection of Turkish civilians. However, with a range of 160 kilometers, fears have been voiced that the Patriot batteries could be used to create a no-fly zone over Syria.

The US also followed suit with Britain, France and the Gulf Arab states, recognizing the new Syrian opposition coalition group as the representative of the country on Tuesday.

The Syrian conflict has raged for over 20 months and claimed the lives of between 20 to 30 thousand people.

 

Source: rt.com/news