Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has assured the nation that the Fijian Government is working closely with the United Nations for the release of the 43 Fijian peacekeepers who have been detained by an armed group in Syria.

Bainimarama says the latest information received confirmed the troops are safe and negotiations are now underway for their release.

He assured the families of the soldiers that the government is doing everything possible to secure their safe return.

Bainimarama says the men are peacekeepers, not combatants in the Syrian conflict, and there is no need for them to be detained.

He says the soldiers and their families are in the thoughts and prayers of all Fijians.