MALBATT Peacekeepers In Lebanon: M’sia Awaits UN Green Light

KOTA TINGGI, April 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is waiting for a United Nations (UN) decision on whether to review the terms of its peacekeeping team's deployment with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have altered conditions in Lebanon, prompting a review of the peacekeeping mission's terms.

"When we sent our troops to UNIFIL, it was to keep the peace between warring sides and halt the fighting. But now things have changed, with them battling each other," he told reporters after the event to release giant freshwater prawn fry in Kampung Gembut today.

He said MALBATT 850-13's peacekeeping mandate means its kit is not for active combat, stressing that any decision to maintain or withdraw will be made jointly with the UN.

"We'll stay if they say stay, and head home if they say go. That's up to the government and UN, not just us at the Defence Ministry," he said.

Mohamed Khaled said the Cabinet has discussed it, while the ministry has given the UN official feedback on the current ground situation.

Around 600 personnel, including officers from Brunei, are with MALBATT and security has been tightened, with no external patrols and everyone is confined to base.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan earlier said Malaysia would push the UN to reconsider UNIFIL's peacekeeping rules amid heightened security in Lebanon.

Earlier reports noted attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers, including one that killed an Indonesian soldier, signalling sharper risks in the zone.

-- BERNAMA