MPR strongly condemns Israel over the deaths of TNI soldiers in Lebanon
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia (MPR RI) has strongly condemned the attack carried out by Israel, which resulted in the deaths of TNI soldiers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping contingent in Lebanon.
MPR RI Chairman Ahmad Muzani, during a press conference at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, described Israel’s actions as “utterly barbaric” for claiming the lives of soldiers who were carrying out a peacekeeping mission.
“The MPR RI leadership, along with its 732 members, strongly condemns Israel’s utterly barbaric actions against our nation’s finest sons who were carrying out a peacekeeping mission, which is a constitutional duty and responsibility in maintaining peace in southern Lebanon,” he stated.
He said the fallen soldiers were Indonesia’s best sons who dedicated themselves to the UN Security Council’s mandate. Therefore, MPR RI extends its deepest condolences over their deaths.
“The MPR conveys its deepest condolences over the deaths and injuries of the TNI soldiers who were carrying out constitutional duties and the UN mandate in southern Lebanon,” Muzani said.
The MPR has proposed to the government that the fallen soldiers be awarded honours. It also requests that Indonesian forces in Lebanon be withdrawn in the near future if there is no guarantee of safety.
On the other hand, the MPR urges the UN Security Council to hold an investigative session and impose sanctions on Israel.
Private Farizal Rhomadhon, a member of the Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeeping contingent, was killed by artillery fire near the Indonesian UNIFIL contingent’s position in Adchit Al Qusayr, southern Lebanon, on Sunday (29/3).
Meanwhile, three other personnel, namely Private Rico Pramudia, Private Bayu Prakoso, and Private Arif Kurniawan, were injured in the attack.
A day later, the UN reported that two Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeepers were killed and two others injured in an attack on a UNIFIL logistics convoy near Bani Hayyan in southern Lebanon on Monday (30/3).
Head of the TNI Headquarters Information Centre, Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, explained that the two soldiers who were killed were Captain (Inf) Zulmi Aditya Iskandar and Staff Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ichwan.
The two injured soldiers were Lieutenant (Inf) Sulthan Wirdean Maulana and Private Deni Rianto.