Prabowo Criticizes the Attack in Lebanon: A Despicable Action, Destabilizing Peace
JAKARTA - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed his sorrow over the death of three TNI soldiers on duty as peacekeepers in Lebanon (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon/UNIFIL). Prabowo also strongly condemned all acts of barbarism that undermine peace.
"We, brothers of the same nation and homeland, strongly condemn every heinous act that undermines peace and causes the death of the nation's best soldiers," Prabowo said in his statement, Sunday, April 5.
He also emphasized that the state would always be present to honor the services of heroes, maintain the honor of soldiers, and ensure that their sacrifices were never forgotten. He invited all parties to continue the spirit of the soldiers to maintain peace.
"Let's continue the spirit and determination to maintain peace, and not give space to anyone who tries to divide the unity and harmony of the nation," said Prabowo.
The three TNI soldiers who died in the peace mission in Lebanon were the late Major Inf (Anm) Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, the late Serka (Anm) Muhammad Nur Ichwan, and the late Kopda (Anm) Farizal Rhomadon.
On Saturday, April 4, Prabowo took part in the state funeral procession at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang. Prabowo paid homage to the body in a coffin covered with red-and-white cloth.
In this one week, there have been three attacks on peacekeepers that resulted in three TNI soldiers being killed and eight others injured.
Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that the Indonesian government through its Permanent Representative in New York had also asked the United Nations Security Council (UN) to hold an emergency meeting.
"We strongly condemn the attack on peacekeepers and demand a thorough investigation," said Sugiono.
He explained that peacekeepers have a mandate to maintain stability, not to conduct combat operations. Furthermore, Indonesia also encourages the UN to evaluate the protection system for peacekeepers.
"We ask the UN to evaluate the safety of peacekeepers, especially in UNIFIL," he said.