As many as eight Swiss military personnel will head to Syria as part of a UN observer mission. 

Following a UN request, the Federal Council decided last month to allow the unarmed troops monitor a declared cease-fire and the implementation of a peace plan proposed by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

There is already one military observer, part of an initial detachment, who will be moved to the newly approved team, a government statement said.

There are currently 18 Swiss military officers with the UN’s Truce Supervision Organization, observing situations in the Golan Heights and the Lebanese border with Israel.