Defence minister confirms two Malbatt peacekeepers injured in Lebanon, says condition stable

KOTA TINGGI, June 13 — The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) has instructed personnel of the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) 850-13 to strengthen security measures and remain vigilant after two Malaysian peacekeepers in Lebanon sustained minor injuries from bomb splinters following an airstrike on Thursday.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the move was important to ensure the safety of Malaysian peacekeepers currently serving in the conflict area.

“We (the ministry) have provided guidance that such threats and challenges can indeed occur, and we have advised the contingent to take precautionary measures,” he said after officiating at the ministry’s Jiwa Murni Madani Programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Johor Kampong here today.

He said the injuries were caused by bomb splinters that landed near the personnel’s location and not from a direct attack near Haris in southern Lebanon.

“All injured personnel received treatment from the medical team on duty there, and their condition is stable,” he said.

Mohamed Khaled also said the United Nations Security Council is reassessing the position of peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, as the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon is scheduled to expire in December.

According to him, the government’s current plan is to bring home all Malbatt personnel by the end of this year.

“However, if the UN decides that the presence of peacekeeping forces should continue to prevent Lebanon from descending into complete devastation, Malaysia is prepared to consider such cooperation,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude that, thus far, there have been no fatalities involving Malaysian personnel, unlike the situation faced by some other countries’ peacekeeping forces in the conflict area. — Bernama