Indonesia to Send 1,000 Soldiers to UN Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon

Strategic Insights -

Indonesia plans to contribute 1,000 soldiers to the United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, despite initial concerns from Israel. Israel had expressed objections to soldiers from Muslim countries that do not have diplomatic relations with it, but Indonesia's position has softened. The dispatch of Indonesian troops comes after the Bush administration improved relations with the Indonesian Army, despite concerns over its human rights record.

Key Takeaways:

  • Indonesia plans to send 1,000 soldiers to the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon.
  • Israel had initially expressed objections to soldiers from Muslim countries that do not have diplomatic relations with it, but has since softened its stance towards Indonesia.
  • The Indonesian soldiers will serve under the command of the French, who have been designated to lead the force of up to 15,000 soldiers.
  • The UN peacekeeping force aims to establish a buffer zone between the Israeli border and the Hezbollah-controlled Litani River area.
  • Indonesia has a history of participating in UN peacekeeping missions, with soldiers serving in 30 operations, and is considered a moderate Muslim country in its religious outlook.
  • Malaysian officials were criticized by Israel for failing to distance themselves from a statement by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, calling for Israel's obliteration, during a meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Kuala Lumpur.
  • The Indonesian government sees the deployment of its troops to Lebanon as a prestigious assignment and an opportunity for Indonesia to demonstrate its commitment to international peacekeeping.

Statistics:

  • 1,000: Number of Indonesian soldiers planned for deployment to the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon.
  • 15,000: Total number of soldiers that the UN peacekeeping force will consist of.
  • 30: Number of UN peacekeeping operations in which Indonesian soldiers have participated.
  • 1,100: Number of Spanish troops also being sent to the UN force.
  • 2: Number of times the former Indonesian president, Abdurrahman Wahid, visited Israel in the 1990s.
  • 1992: Year in which the former Israeli prime minister, Yitzhak Rabin, visited Indonesia.

Sources:

  • Dino Djalal, foreign policy adviser to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
  • Mark Regev, spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
  • "United Nations peacekeeping officials" who regard Indonesia and Malaysia as strong participants in past peacekeeping missions.
  • "Senior government official" in Indonesia who confirmed plans to send soldiers to the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon.
  • Abdurrahman Wahid, former president of Indonesia.
  • Yitzhak Rabin, former prime minister of Israel.
  • Jacques Chirac, French president.
  • Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranian president.
  • Organization of the Islamic Conference meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.