Khald presenting UN peacekeeper berets to members of Malbatt team 850-12 prior to their departure for Lebanon on Nov 6. – BERNAMApic
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has a contingency plan in case the situation in southern Lebanon worsens and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) decides to withdraw because of Israel's aggressive actions.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said for now, the country's commitment continues like other nations that send military personnel to Lebanon.
He said the situation now is the same as when the country started sending the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) there for the first time for peacekeeping duties.
Khaled said his ministry is always in close contact with Unifil to keep updated on the situation in the area, and also consults with other countries that sent military personnel there.
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"It's not just the Malbatt team that is facing attacks, but teams from other countries such as Indonesia and Ireland are also facing the same situation.
"The country... (will) continue working with the Unifil peacekeeping force which is made up of more than 40 countries to maintain peace in the area," he said when contacted Friday (Nov 8) regarding the situation of Malbatt members in Lebanon.
He said the personnel sent there are trained soldiers aware of the risks they face when working as peacekeepers.
On Thursday (Nov 7), six Malbatt members were confirmed to have suffered injuries following an explosion near Saida Stadium in Lebanon during the movement of Malbatt 850-12 members from Beirut to Camp Marakah at 7.54 pm Malaysian time (1.54pm Lebanese time).
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Khaled said one team member with a hand injury is being treated at Hamood Hospital in Saida while five others who were slightly injured have safely reached Marakah Camp.
He said the incident was caused by a car exploding, but it has not yet been determined if it was hit by a drone or an Israeli fighter jet.
"Shards from the explosion caused the windshield and rear window of one of the buses carrying the Malbatt 850-12 group to shatter and injured six personnel, including an escort from 850-11," he said.
On Wednesday (Nov 6), the first 850-12 group comprising 220 officers and personnel was sent to Lebanon to continue peacekeeping efforts there.
The assignment and arrival of the 850-12 team has been scheduled in stages from Nov 6 to 18 and will involve a total strength of 854 officers and personnel, including a team from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces team and a civilian officer. – Bernama
