Government Mourns the Fallen National Heroes in Lebanon
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that the government extends its deepest condolences to the three TNI soldiers who fell while carrying out the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, during a military honours ceremony at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten, on Saturday.
“Of course, we all extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray that the souls of these national heroes are accepted by the Lord,” Sugiono told the media after the military procession.
The three fallen soldiers are Major Inf. Anumerta Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, Sergeant Major Anumerta Muhammad Nur Ichwan, and Corporal Two Anumerta Rizal Rhomadhon.
They were part of the Indonesian peacekeeping force serving under the banner of UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon).
The repatriation ceremony for the remains was solemn and attended by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, sixth President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and several senior officials as well as members of the Merah Putih Cabinet.
The presence of these state leaders serves as the highest form of respect for the services and dedication of the fallen soldiers.
Foreign Minister Sugiono conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved families over this tragedy.
He prayed that the families would be granted fortitude and strength in their loss of the nation’s finest sons.
“May the souls of the fallen be accepted by the Lord, and may the bereaved families be granted patience in facing this calamity,” Sugiono said while offering condolences to the family representatives at the welcome site.
In addition, the remains of the three TNI soldiers also received a final salute from President Prabowo Subianto and a military honours ceremony.
Before being repatriated to Indonesia, a military honours ceremony had been held by UNIFIL at the Lebanese Air Force Hangar, Beirut, on Thursday (2/4) local time.
The ceremony was led by the UNIFIL Force Commander/Head of Mission, Major General Diodato Abagnara, and attended by the Indonesian Ambassador to Lebanon, KBRI officials, representatives from United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ) New York, Lebanese military personnel, and international contingents.
During the procession, as a final mark of respect, UNIFIL symbolically pinned a UN scarf on the coffins and extended condolences to the Indonesian contingent.