In a statement issued by his Spokesman, Mr. Ban welcomed the release of the four peacekeepers of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) who had been detained on 7 May by armed elements near Al Jamlah.

“He appreciates the assistance of Qatar and of others involved in securing their safe release,” the statement added.

The Secretary-General again emphasized to all parties the impartiality of United Nations peacekeepers. “UNDOF is on the ground to monitor the Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria,” he said, calling on all parties to respect the mission’s freedom of movement and the safety and security of its personnel

This latest abduction was a replay of a similar incident that occurred on 6 March, when 21 UNDOF peacekeepers were captured in the same location by armed elements of the Syrian opposition. They were held four days before being released safely.

In the wake of that incident, the Security Council issued a Presidential Statement on 27 March expressing its “grave concern” at the presence of the Syrian and opposition troops inside the demilitarized area of the Golan Heights, and called on both sides to respect the blue helmets’ freedom of movement and security.

That statement followed a briefing to the Council by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous on the security risks and operational challenges facing UNDOF.

Mr. Ladsous told journalists after the closed-door session that UN peacekeepers had reduced their activities in response to the presence of armed groups from the Syrian conflict and have taken additional security measures, including more frequent use of armoured vehicles.

Peacekeepers serving with UNDOF monitor the 1974 disengagement accord between Syria and Israel after their 1973 war. In December, the Security Council extended the mission’s mandate for another six months, until 30 June 2013.

Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous told journalists in New York that the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) has had to “adopt a posture which is somewhat more static” and take additional security measures, which include the use of more armoured vehicles.

“We have had to reduce somewhat the footprint of UNDOF in the Golan Heights in the area of operation,” Mr. Ladsous said after briefing the Security Council behind closed doors on actions taken since the seizure and safe release of 21 blue helmets earlier this month. In the days following, UNDOF vacated two positions which were particularly exposed to gunfire.

He said that clearly, it is a situation that warrants respect for the neutrality, safety and security of UN personnel. “This call applies to all concerned,” he added.

The UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) monitors the 1974 disengagement accord between Syria and Israel after their 1973 war.

Mr. Ladsous said the incident, more than ever, shows the importance of that agreement for that part of the world “and it has to be upheld.”

He thanked the countries contributing troops to the region and said he very much hopes that they will stay the course on this “very important mission.”

The Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), which Mr. Ladsous heads, is in the process of looking to replace the contingents which have left in recent weeks, particularly with more Arabic-speaking officers.

Ambassador Vitaly Churkin of Russia, which holds the presidency of the Council for this month, told reporters that the armed groups are being “provocative” in the area where the peacekeepers operate, but the blue helmets do not have the mandated authority from the Council to stop them.

“During the meeting, both sides expressed their commitment to the Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan’s six-point peace plan and noted the diminishing of violence in the city since the arrival of the military observers,” a spokesperson for the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) said.

“Mr. Ladsous affirmed that the focus now needs to be on building dialogue and confidence between the parties,” the spokesperson added.

While on the ground, Mr. Ladsous noted the record time in which the UNSMIS observers deployed, and emphasized that the end of the violence will only happen if Syrians and all parties, internal and external, choose the path of dialogue.

The violence in the Middle Eastern country led to the Security Council authorizing the establishment of UNSMIS, with up to 300 unarmed military observers, for an initial period of 90 days. Spread out in various locations, the observers are tasked with monitoring the cessation of violence and supporting the full implementation of the six-point plan put forward

Meanwhile, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Derek Plumbly, today voiced concern over recent violent incidents which have led to loss of life in Lebanon.

“It is important that there be no further repetition of such violence and that the incidents that have occurred be fully and thoroughly investigated,” he said.  According to media reports, the violence in Lebanon has been related to developments in neighbouring Syria, with clashes between sympathizers and opponents of the different sides there.

Meanwhile, UN chief Ban Ki-Moon voiced his concerns over the tensions in Lebanon in recent days and calls on all parties to make every effort to halt violence.

The uprising in Syria has claimed for than 9000 lives while human rights grous put the number to more than 12000.