Asmara, 25 February: UNMEE's regrouping of peacekeepers and equipment in Asmara continued without restrictions today. So far, seven out of 11 Team Sites in the Temporary Security Zone have been vacated and four out of 21 posts have been closed. By the end of the day,
it is expected that 547 troops and 89 UN Military Observers (out of a total of 981 troops and 101 UN Military Observers in Eritrea) will have relocated to Asmara.
The pace of UNMEE's temporary relocation, forced by dwindling fuel reserves, means that containerised housing and storage facilities and some equipment, will be left at observer posts, team sites and sector headquarters in the Temporary Security Zone for Eritrean authorities to safeguard. In some locations, private security contractors already provide a measure of protection.