UN plans investigation into the deaths of TNI soldiers in Lebanon
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The United Nations (UN) is discussing plans for a forensic investigation following the deaths of three TNI soldiers who were part of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The statement was delivered by UN Secretary-General’s Spokesperson, Stephan Dujarric, in response to a journalist’s question during a press conference on Wednesday (1/4), as quoted from the official UN website on Thursday.
“The Secretary-General’s hope is that this can be done as quickly as possible, while prioritising safety to the maximum extent. We are talking about conducting a forensic investigation in the midst of a conflict zone,” said Dujarric.
Given that the incident location is in a conflict zone, the spokesperson noted that UNIFIL requires special coordination or de-confliction to allow the investigative team to access the area without additional risks.
“We do not want a situation where those investigating an attack or incident end up endangering themselves in the process,” Dujarric stated.
He affirmed that the Head of UN Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, is committed to accelerating the investigation process to uncover the facts of what occurred. This step is deemed important amid various speculations regarding the party responsible for the incident.
“I think Mr Lacroix is determined to resolve this as quickly as possible, because we have seen many parties commenting on who is responsible and who is not. Therefore, we need to establish the facts so that we can communicate them clearly,” he added.
One Indonesian member of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force was killed by artillery fire near the Indonesian UNIFIL contingent’s position in the vicinity of Adchit Al Qusayr, southern Lebanon, on Sunday (29/3).
Praka Farizal Rhomadhon was confirmed killed in the incident, while three other personnel, namely Praka Rico Pramudia, Praka Bayu Prakoso, and Praka Arif Kurniawan, were injured.
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).
With the addition of two more victims in that attack, a total of three people have now been recorded as killed while carrying out peacekeeping missions in southern Lebanon.