JAKARTA, April 5 (Bernama) -- Thousands of people gathered outside the United States (US) Embassy in central Jakarta on Sunday morning to express condolences for the three Indonesian military personnel killed while serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Participants filled the area stretching towards the National Monument (Monas) near Gambir railway station, with some attendees bringing along children and infants as early as 8.30 am local time, according to ANTARA News Agency.
Initiated by the Majelis Ormas Islam (MOI), the gathering themed “Berjuta Doa untuk Syuhuda” (A Million Prayers for the Martyrs) saw participants dressed predominantly in white robes, many carrying Indonesian and Palestinian flags.
A stage approximately two metres high was erected across from the embassy, displaying images of the three fallen soldiers.
The three personnel have been identified as Major Inf (Posthumous) Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, Sergeant Major (Posthumous) M. Nur Ichwan, and Corporal First Class (Posthumous) Farizal Rhomadhon.
Five other TNI personnel were injured in the March 29 and 30 incidents, namely Private First Class Rico Pramudia who sustained serious injuries, while four others, First Lieutenant (Inf) Sulthan Wirdean Maulana, Private First Class Deni Rianto, Private First Class Bayu Prakoso, and Private First Class Arif Kurniawan suffered minor injuries.
On April 3, three more Indonesian peacekeepers were injured following an explosion in El Addaiseh, southern Lebanon.
In addition to prayers for the fallen soldiers, participants voiced support for Palestinian independence, with chants and songs accompanying the demonstration, while Palestinian flags were waved throughout the event.
On Saturday, Foreign Minister Sugiono said France as the penholder for Lebanon at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has approved Indonesia’s request to convene an emergency meeting on the deadly attack against peacekeepers in Lebanon.
-- BERNAMA
