KUALA LUMPUR: The government will decide on further action involving Malaysian peacekeepers in Lebanon after holding discussions with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) and the United Nations (UN).
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin said a decision on further action involving Malaysian Battalion 850-11 (Malbatt 850-11) will be made once the discussions are concluded.
"The Defence Ministry through the Foreign Ministry will contact the UN through proper channels to ensure that Malaysian peacekeepers are safe and they are carrying out their duties in line with the accorded mandate.
"We will also continue to monitor the latest developments in Lebanon," he said in a statement on Monday (Oct 14).
He explained that the Malbatt team was under the banners and mandate of the UN.
"Their duties and responsibilities depend on the protocol and regulations set by Unifil," he said.
Mohamed Khaled said Israel should respect the mandate and not drag Unifil into its conflict with Hezbollah.
"An attack on Unifil members is an attack against the UN and the international community.
"Such acts are infringing international legal norms and so uncivilised," he said.
The Defence Ministry will abide by every decision made by Unifil and the UN on Unifil's further role in Lebanon, he added.
Previously, Malaysia, along with 33 other countries contributing to Unifil, had co-signed a joint statement calling for the protection of UN peacekeepers.
The statement followed the injury of five Unifil personnel in multiple incidents involving attacks by Israeli forces at Unifil headquarters in Naqoura, southern Lebanon.
