A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Thursday criticized the detainment of United Nations (UN) peacekeepers by Syrian opposition forces and called for their release.

"China condemns the detention of UN peacekeepers by Syrian opposition forces and demands their immediate and unconditional release," spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing.

According to reports, a group of more than 20 United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) peacekeepers were detained by armed elements linked to the Syrian opposition earlier Wednesday within the area of limitation on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights.

The UN Security Council created the UNDOF in May 1974 after fighting broke out between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights region.

Hua said any attack or threat targeting UN peacekeepers is unacceptable.

"China urges related parties to take effective measures and substantively safeguard UN peacekeepers," she said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2013)