The defence minister says they cannot be brought home as their deployment is subject to the mandate under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
He said Malaysia’s peacekeeping mission is under the United Nations, including command and any decision on troop withdrawal.
“We are bound by the UN. When we agreed to join this mission, the deployment and command of our forces came under the UN,” he told reporters after officiating the JanaVeteran Project by Boustead Plantations Bhd in Telok Sengat here today.
He said any decision, including bringing personnel home, must go through UN processes to ensure compliance with the mission mandate.
On the security situation, Khaled said there had been encounters between Malbatt personnel and the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), but the situation remains under control with no untoward incidents.
Security measures have been strengthened, including reassessing field operations in line with current developments.
“If necessary, certain roles may be suspended or troop movements restricted as a precaution,” he said.
More than 500 Malbatt personnel are currently stationed in Lebanon under the Unifil mission.
On March 25, Khaled said no Malbatt 850-13 personnel were injured in several explosions reported near the Unifil operational area in southern Lebanon.
He said the incidents followed tensions between the IDF and Hezbollah in the area, adding that the Unifil headquarters in Naqoura continues to monitor the situation and has instructed all peacekeeping forces to remain vigilant. - FMT
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