Malbatt team in Lebanon can return fire only in self-defence, says Mohamed Khaled
Malaysian peacekeepers in Lebanon are permitted to engage in gunfire with Israeli forces only in self-defense if attacked, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
Responding to a question from Datuk Seri Ikmal Abdul Aziz (PN-Tanah Merah) in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 17), Khaled explained that this is allowed as part of force protection measures for personnel under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil).
Khaled acknowledged that the situation in southern Lebanon had worsened including incidents of exchange of fire between Unifil peacekeepers and Israel Defence Force (IDF), but added that any decision to withdraw Malaysia personnel from the region would be determined by Unifil in coordination with the 50 countries involved in the peacekeeping mission.
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Responding to a question from Datuk Seri Ikmal Abdul Aziz (PN-Tanah Merah) in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 17), Khaled explained that this is allowed as part of force protection measures for personnel under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil).
Khaled acknowledged that the situation in southern Lebanon had worsened including incidents of exchange of fire between Unifil peacekeepers and Israel Defence Force (IDF), but added that any decision to withdraw Malaysia personnel from the region would be determined by Unifil in coordination with the 50 countries involved in the peacekeeping mission.
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NewsTranscript
00:30PBB in UNIFIL in Lubnan by taking into account the development of the current Israeli military attack on the PBB security forces and a warning from the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, so that the UNIFIL forces immediately leave the south of Lubnan. Thank you.
00:50What kind of poem is that?
00:51Honourable Minister for the answer.
00:55Thank you, Honourable Minister.
01:00Honourable Chairman,
01:03Malaysia has joined the UNIFIL security mission under the United Nations Interim Organization in Lubnan.
01:15It began in 2007 through an MOU between Malaysia, the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations and UNIFIL.
01:31The latest round of operations was from 14 November 2023 to 14 November 2024 involving a total of 853 members and officers.
01:48This force is known as Malbat 850-11 and includes 29 members of the Brunei Armed Forces.
02:03In addition to Malaysia, a total of 50 PBB members have joined the UNIFIL mission with a total of 10,058 members and officers.
02:18Malbat 850-11 carries out its mandate under the PBB Security Council Resolution 425 and 426.
02:31The main responsibility of this force is to monitor and ensure the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Force from the south of Lubnan,
02:43restore peace and security between nations, and help the Kingdom of Lubnan effectively rule in the south of Lubnan.
02:56Based on the reports received, the situation of Malbat 850-11 members and troops in Lubnan is still under control.
03:08The safety level of the troops is safe and there are no casualties or asset damage in the areas guarded and controlled by our troops during the war between Hezbollah and Israel.
03:31To all troops under the UNIFIL Interim National Defense Force, including Malbat 850-11 troops operating in southern Lubnan,
03:44have been instructed not to carry out patrols or logistical operations and remain in their respective locations.
03:54Taking into account the safety of the officers, the UNIFIL headquarters has also activated protection in the camps according to the procedures that have been set up until the situation is under control.
04:10As I have stated in a media statement on 14 October, the Ministry of Defense, through the Malaysian Army, will continue to monitor the situation in southern Lubnan
04:25and will now prepare developments involving Malbat 850-11 troops.
04:39Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. Even though our troops are under control, the Malaysian people and their families are worried about the situation in Malbat.
04:47Why? Because we see Malbat 850-11 troops in Lubnan. I want to know whether the Malbat 850-11 troops in Lubnan will be allowed to carry out retaliatory attacks if they are attacked by the Israeli army.
05:00I want to know what has happened to the Sri Lankan and Indonesian troops in the past few days.
05:06We also know that there have been frequent attacks by small firearms and armored vehicles on the Sri Lankan and Indonesian air defense forces.
05:18If our troops in Malbat, UNIFIL, Marakah and Timni are prepared to carry out retaliatory attacks on the Israeli army,
05:35will our troops be prepared to carry out the evacuation mission from Lubnan if the PBB has decided to evacuate the UNIFIL forces and leave the country?
05:48And what is the threshold or red line set by the PBB for UNIFIL forces to leave the south of Lubnan, especially our PBB security forces' death camps on the blue line,
06:01including the Malaysian camps in Timni, to avoid the PBB security forces from becoming victims of the Israeli army's attacks?
06:11Honourable Minister for your answer.
06:13Thank you, Honourable Minister.
06:15We do accept the fact that the threat is increasing.
06:21And all the things that have been done are under UNIFIL's control.
06:30And UNIFIL has set the threshold for all threats and challenges related to the force protection measures that have been provided.
06:48So, referring to the additional questions that have been raised, if there is an attack in terms of the force protection measures that have been established,
07:04if it is for self-defence, then it can be done.
07:13But if it is for an offensive attack, then it is not allowed.
07:20Because UNIFIL's role and responsibility is as a security force.
07:26But if it is attacked for self-defence, then it can be done.
07:32And as for the facilities, there is UNIFIL's facility.
07:40Because we have to understand that there are 50 other countries involved.
07:45So, in terms of providing facilities, UNIFIL has taken responsibility and provided it.
07:53And it is located approximately one hour from our camp, Malbat camp.
07:59While in our own camp, we have basic facilities for Level 2 treatment.
08:06And at the same time, we have also established cooperation with local hospitals.
08:15The next question is about termination.
08:22In terms of termination, we already have plans if there is an attack.
08:37But all decisions must be made by UNIFIL.
08:42As I have said, our camp is under UNIFIL's command structure.
08:50All our operations and actions are under UNIFIL's responsibility.
08:56They will make the decision.
08:59So, whether we withdraw or not, it depends on UNIFIL's decision.
09:04And also the agreement of all countries involved in sending security forces,
09:11which is as many as 50 countries, including our country.
09:17It is not a unilateral action. We are independent.
09:21For your information, Indonesia, where their army was involved in an attack on Israel,
09:32the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia made a statement on 14 September.
09:37They will continue to work together to succeed the security forces under UNIFIL.
09:44So, even if there is an attack, the first decision is not to retreat or withdraw.