KUALA LUMPUR: The aggressive incident towards the Malaysian Battalion 850-11 (Malbatt 850-11) team in Lebanon occurred when the officers and personnel were going through an area under the jurisdiction of the Italian peacekeeping force (Italbatt).
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the Malbatt team was going through Tes Road-Burj Al Qibli, in Tyre, Lebanon when the incident occurred.
"They were going on their way back to Matalan camp when the incident occurred.
"Lebanon members of the public threw rocks at the two vehicles and damaged it as well.
"The area is not under Malbatt jurisdiction. As there was a meeting in the area, it was entrusted to Italbatt.
"The citizens in the area are quite hostile towards the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil)," he told reporters on Friday (Sept 20).
Khaled said the citizens stopped their aggressive actions once they were told the team was from Malaysia.
"We might put Malaysian flags on Malbatt vehicles from now on following the incident.
"We urge all Malbatt officers and personnel to be more careful in the future," he said.
Malbatt officers and personnel are safe following the incident.
The Armed Forces said it was aware of a viral video clip that showed a group of Lebanese citizens acting aggressively against a Malbatt 850-11 convoy which was on a Unifil mission.
"The incident occurred at 5.32pm Lebanese time and 11.32pm Malaysian time on Wednesday (Sept 18).
"Two Fitted for Radio (FFR) vehicles were involved in the incident.
"It happened when both vehicles transporting three officers and seven personnel were on their way back to the Marakah camp after completing a force protection duty at the Unifil base in Shama camp," it said in a statement on Friday (Sept 20).
When both vehicles were going through the Tes Road-Burj Al Qibli in Tyre, an extraordinary traffic congestion occurred.
"Members of the public were directing traffic, and there were many ambulances and fire trucks in both directions.
"Suddenly there was a group of citizens acting aggressively and trying to stop the Malbatt vehicles.
"Close to 30 people then threw rocks and punctured all tyres of the vehicles using sharp weapons," the Armed Forces said.
To prevent the situation from worsening, the convoy leader instructed both vehicles to stop at the side of the road and all military personnel remained in the vehicles while waiting for the assistance," it said.
The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) arrived on the scene and managed to control the situation.
"They also assisted in coordinating the use of loaders to bring back the vehicles and the Malbatt personnel to Marakah camp," it said.
All personnel arrived safely at Marakah camp at about 1.39pm (Malaysian time) or 7.39pm (Lebanese time).
"No injuries were sustained by any personnel or officers.
"The Malbatt 850-11 team will continue to conduct their routine duties as mandated by Unifil.
"We urge all parties not to raise speculations that could tarnish the image of the Defence Ministry, especially the Armed Forces," it said.
