Sign in Subscribe
Soldiers

Indonesian President Inspects Peacekeeping Force Preparations in Wake of Lebanon Conflict

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made an impromptu visit to the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in east Jakarta to inspect preparations for the dispatch of Indonesian military personnel to Lebanon, after initially planning to visit victims of the Lapindo mudflow disaster in East Java. The visit came as a result of an agreement between Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei to send elite troops to Lebanon for a peacekeeping mission under the United Nations mandate. President Yudhoyono was accompanied by Indonesian Military Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto and Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Air Force, and Navy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inspected preparations for the dispatch of 850-strong Indonesian peacekeeping force to Lebanon, consisting of 576 soldiers from the Army, 221 from the Navy, 37 from the Air Force, and 15 from the TNI Headquarters.
  • The peacekeeping force is part of an agreement between Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei to send elite troops to Lebanon for a mission under the United Nations mandate.
  • Indonesian Military Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto stated that the dispatch of peacekeeping force is based on the countries' sense of sympathy and concern over the relentless conflict in the Middle East.
  • President Yudhoyono also inspected preparations for disaster emergency handling made by special swift reaction troops at the air force base.
  • Social Affairs Minister Bachtiar Chamsyah accompanied the President in the inspection and a visit to Sidoarjo.
  • The Lapindo mudflow disaster in East Java was initially the President's planned destination before he decided to inspect the peacekeeping force preparations.

Statistics:

  • 850-strong Indonesian peacekeeping force to be dispatched to Lebanon.
  • 576 soldiers from the Army to make up the peacekeeping force.
  • 221 Navy personnel to be dispatched.
  • 37 Air Force personnel to be part of the peacekeeping force.
  • 15 personnel from the TNI Headquarters to join the mission.
  • Indonesian, Malaysian, and Brunei to send elite troops to Lebanon under the United Nations mandate.
  • Lapindo mudflow disaster in East Java was the initially planned destination of President Yudhoyono's visit.

Sources:

  • [Asia Pulse]
  • [ANTARA]

'Jakarta, Aug 11;Associated Press'

Read more