KUALA LUMPUR: The Armed Forces has confirmed an incident involving a Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) vehicle that was stopped by locals in Beirut, Lebanon.
In a statement, The Armed forces headquarters said the incident occurred on Feb 29 at about 4.30pm (Lebanon time) when a convoy of two Malbatt 850-11 vehicles was en route to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) staging area near Rafik Hariri International Airport.
"One of the vehicles involved, a Fitted For Radio Cendana Auto brand, along with five members of Malbatt 850-11, got separated from the convoy due to traffic congestion.
"The vehicle entered the Hay Al-Sellom area in Dahiyeh, South Beirut, to make a turn to return to the correct route," it said in a statement on Tuesday (March 5).
However, while the vehicle was making the turn, a group of 15 to 20 locals blocked the vehicle and demanded to know why they were passing through the privately owned area.
The statement said the residents also inspected the vehicle's interior before allowing it to proceed.
"No injuries to the members, loss of equipment or damage to the vehicle occurred. This matter has also been referred to the Lebanese Armed Forces.
"Malbatt 850-11 will continue its routine tasks as mandated by Unifil and all parties are requested not to speculate on the incident," it added.
Earlier, Lebanese media reports said a Unifil armoured vehicle had been detained by locals and handed over to Hezbollah fighters in the Hay al-Sellom area of Dahiyeh.
The Defence Security Asia (DSA) portal, citing Lebanese media, reported that the area in question is outside the Unifil operational area. – Bernama
