Five wounded Syrian guardsseized by US forces during a raid on a convoy near the Iraqiborder will be returned as soon as the details can be workedout, a US Defense Department official said today.
US officials, who are still not saying how the borderguards were wounded nine days after the incident when Americanspecial forces attacked a suspicious convoy, said the men werebeing "hosted" by US forces.
"All five are now together, have been treated, areambulatory and are awaiting return which we expect will be assoon as we can work (it) out," said Mr Lawrence Di Rita, a specialassistant to Defense Secretary Mr Donald Rumsfeld who is acting asthe Pentagon's chief spokesman.
Mr Di Rita added that he did not know when repatriation wouldtake place or why it was taking as long as it was, and that itwas largely in the hands of the US Embassy in Damascus.
"We just happen to be the ones hosting them," he said.On Wednesday, the Syrian Arab News Agency said Syria haddemanded that the United States "return ... the woundedsoldiers to continue their treatment at a Syrian hospital toavoid any misunderstanding that might lead to an escalationthat both sides do not desire."
The US State Department did not immediately return callsseeking comment on the repatriation plans.