The New Zealand Defence Force is to withdraw its soldiers from Syria this week as the United Nations supervision mission ends.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says the Government acknowledges the bravery and commitment of the observers, who have served in a dangerously volatile situation.
But he says the worsening violence in Syria has made it impossible for the mission to carry out its mandated task.
The United Nations Security Council's mandate for the mission expired on 19 August and the UN has indicated it will have all international military observers, including all New Zealand personnel, out of Syria by 23 August.
