MH17 black boxes handed over

The two 'black box' recorders from Flight MH17 shot down over Ukraine are handed over to Malaysian officials.

A leader of the Pro-Russian separatists who control the area where the plane came down, formally presented them early on Tuesday.

Aleksander Borodai handed them over after lengthy negotiations with Malaysia whose officials thanked him for doing so.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) COLONEL MOHAMED SAKRI, MALAYSIAN NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, SAYING:

"I would like to convey our sincere appreciation to his Excellency Mr Borodai for giving us the opportunity and attain special request to him for handing over the two black boxes to Malaysia. This is the property of Malaysia."

The Malaysian Airlines plane went down in an area of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic on Thursday.

All 298 passengers and crew on board were killed.

The United States and its allies have blamed pro-Russian rebels for downing the plane

Russia in turn has blamed Uk