European Leaders Express Concern Over Death of Indonesian Personnel in UNIFIL

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Leaders from several European countries have expressed their concern over the attack that resulted in the death of TNI personnel serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Sunday (29/3). One of them, Ireland’s Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Michael Martin, issued a strong condemnation of the attack on UNIFIL personnel that led to the death of Praka Farizal Rhomadhon. “I strongly condemn the murder of an Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeeper as well as the shocking escalation of violence that has resulted in injuries to several peacekeepers in recent times,” Martin said via social media platform X, as monitored in Jakarta on Monday. He urged Lebanon’s Shia group Hezbollah and Zionist Israel to do whatever is necessary to prevent attacks on UN peace personnel. Moreover, the role of peacekeepers must be respected at all times, he added. In agreement, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the attack that caused the death of the Indonesian UNIFIL personnel as an event that “crosses the line”. While urging an investigation into the origin of the projectile that hit the Indonesian personnel, Prime Minister Sanchez also called on Zionist Israel to stop their hostilities in southern Lebanon. Furthermore, Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot expressed condolences to the Indonesian nation as well as the family of the Indonesian personnel in UNIFIL who were killed and injured in the incident. “They are there to serve peace,” Foreign Minister Prevot said on social media platform X, while reminding that attacks on peacekeeping forces constitute violations of international law and could amount to war crimes. He also urged the perpetrators of the attack to be held accountable, and for all parties to support de-escalation in Lebanon. Cyprus’s Foreign Ministry, via platform X, also conveyed condolences “to the family of the peacekeeper personnel who fell in Lebanon” and “to the Republic of Indonesia”. Praka Farizal Rhomadhon fell due to an artillery attack that struck the location of the Indonesian contingent in the town of Adshit al-Qusyar in southern Lebanon on Sunday. The attack also caused injuries to three other TNI soldiers, namely Praka Rico Pramudia, Praka Bayu Prakoso, and Praka Arif.