Indonesian Soldier Dies in Lebanon, Foreign Minister Sugiono Urges UNIFIL to Investigate

TOKYO - In the midst of the President's visit to Japan, the government received sad news from Lebanon. Foreign Minister (Menlu) Sugiono announced that an Indonesian soldier serving in the UNIFIL contingent, Praka Parizal Ramadan, was killed. Three other soldiers were injured, one of whom is still in a coma.

"We, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, express our deepest condolences," said Sugiono in Tokyo, Monday, March 30.

Sugiono said the government also strongly condemned the attacks in South Lebanon. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the escalation that has taken place in the past month has had a major impact and must be stopped immediately.

Indonesia, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, again asked all parties to de-escalate and return to the negotiating table. The government has also assigned the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut to monitor the condition of the Indonesian soldiers and prepare steps for the repatriation of the bodies.

Regarding the source of the attack that killed the Indonesian soldier, Sugiono emphasized that until now there has been no clarity. "UNIFIL also said they would investigate, because it is not clear where this attack came from. We just have to wait for the results of the UNIFIL investigation," he said.

The Indonesian representative to the UN is scheduled to meet with UN officials in charge of the peacekeeping force to discuss the repatriation of the bodies and encourage a full investigation. When asked about the proposal to withdraw Indonesian troops from the peacekeeping mission, Sugiono admitted that he had not received an official discussion. "Frankly, I just heard, it hasn't reached me either," he said.