Peacekeepers from M’sia on their way to Lebanon

SUBANG: The first round of Malaysia Battalion troops in 2020 are on their way for peacekeeping missions in Lebanon.

The first team was led by Kol Azudin Hassan, said Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz.

“The first team of 54 officers and 215 personnel departed on Thursday and will be based at the Ma’rakah and Tibnin camps.

“They will continue the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) for 12 moths,” he said after attending a beret presentation before the first team departed from the Subang Royal Malaysia Air Force base yesterday.

Families were not allowed to send troops off this year due to Covid-19 standard operating procedure.

“The mood is different this year but it is a necessary precaution to curb the spread of the virus.

“The team has been quarantined at the Malaysia Battalion Village in Port Dickson for two weeks and would be quarantined for another two weeks once they touch down in Lebanon,” he said.

Ikmal said 770 personnel and 80 personnel would be joined by 27 personnel and three officers from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces this year.

“The second team will fly off on Oct 15, followed by the third and forth teams on Oct 29 and Nov 29,” he said.

Ikmal, who read a speech from Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, said the involvement of the Malaysian Armed Forces internationally proved that Malaysia was committed to carrying out its responsibilities in giving humanitarian aid to countries that needed it.

“I am confident that the preparations made through the integrated exercises for three months at the Malaysia Battalion Village in Port Dickson from June 29 to Aug 21 have readied our troops physically and mentally to face the challenges in Lebanon,” said Ismail.

Kol Azudin said he was in contact with the Malaysia Battalion 850-7 team to get a feel of the situation on the ground in Lebanon.

“We have been in contact for three months to assess the situation there and I am confident that we will carry out our mission,” he said.