All Malaysian peacekeepers in southern Lebanon are confirmed safe and on high alert as military activity escalates near their UN mission.
KUALA LUMPUR: All personnel of the Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT) 850-13 contingent in southern Lebanon are confirmed safe.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the security situation in their area has shown increased military activity but remains under control.
He said current reports indicate Israeli Defence Forces troops have moved into several areas in Lebanon.
Air and artillery strikes have also been recorded near MALBATT’s sector of responsibility.
“Force protection measures have been enhanced in line with the current threat level,” Mohamed Khaled said.
He confirmed the battalion is at its highest level of readiness and prepared to activate contingency plans.
These plans include emergency evacuation should the situation become more critical.
The Ministry of Defence is closely monitoring developments through the Joint Forces Headquarters.
This is being done in cooperation with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and relevant agencies.
Mohamed Khaled stressed the safety of every Malaysian Armed Forces personnel serving overseas is the government’s highest priority.
The presence of MALBATT in southern Lebanon is part of Malaysia’s commitment to maintaining global peace.
They serve under a UN mandate alongside personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
The situation along the Lebanon-Israel border has escalated in recent weeks.
Ongoing tensions between the IDF and the Hezbollah group have raised international concerns over the safety of UN peacekeepers.
