Foreign Ministry: Indonesian Troops Cannot Be Withdrawn Abruptly from UNIFIL

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) states that any changes regarding the participation of TNI personnel in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) must be made with very careful consideration, so they cannot simply be withdrawn on a whim.

Spokesperson for Indonesia’s Kemlu, Yvonne Mewengkang, conveyed that Indonesia’s participation in UNIFIL is part of the country’s solid international commitment to world security and peace.

“Therefore, various decisions related to this issue, including proposals for withdrawal, must undergo very thorough consideration, both in terms of personnel safety, the relevance of the UNIFIL mandate, and Indonesia’s contribution to regional stability,” said Yvonne during a media briefing in Jakarta on Wednesday.

She explained that in its mission, UNIFIL receives a direct mandate from the UN Security Council, while its implementation is coordinated under the UN Secretariat.

As a troop-contributing country to UNIFIL, Indonesia and other contributing countries continuously maintain close coordination with the UN, including to obtain the latest information on the security and safety of troops in the field.

Therefore, various matters or changes related to personnel participation in UNIFIL will be carried out with very careful consideration and attention to the situation on the ground, she said.

Yvonne also conveyed that Indonesia always prioritises the security and safety of TNI personnel serving under the auspices of UNIFIL in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) of Indonesia, Ahmad Muzani, has urged the government to consider withdrawing the peacekeeping troops in Lebanon, especially if there are no security guarantees for Indonesian soldiers.

According to Muzani, during a press conference at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (31/3), the withdrawal of troops is in accordance with the constitutional mandate that instructs the state to protect every citizen.

To date, three TNI personnel have been killed and eight others injured in three separate attacks while carrying out duties with UNIFIL in Lebanon.