Asmara, 28 February – UNMEE's relocation from 33 deployment sites in the Temporary Security Zone to Asmara continued to make progress today. Some 788 out of a total of 1,115 military personnel have regrouped in the Capital while 112 are in Assab.
The Mission continued to encounter obstructions at the Senafe checkpoint where Eritrean soldiers stopped some UN convoys. In the past 24 hours, seven UN posts inside the Temporary Security Zone were vacated and taken over by Eritrean militia, police and army personnel.
UNMEE's regrouping is taking place in preparation for a temporary relocation to Ethiopia after Eritrean authorities cut off the Mission's fuel supplies, paralyzing the work of its peacekeepers on that side of the border.
The Security Council and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, have repeatedly urged Eritrea to end its restrictions.