Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono encourages evaluation of peacekeepers after TNI soldier was killed.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono gives a press statement at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten, Saturday, April 4. (BPMI Presidential Secretariat)

JAKARTA - Indonesia encourages the United Nations (UN) to thoroughly evaluate the safety aspects of peacekeepers in various assignment areas, especially in the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon.

Foreign Minister Sugiono in a statement received, Sunday, confirmed this following the death of three TNI soldiers while on duty at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Lebanon.

"We are once again trying to ensure that our peacekeepers are given, so that our peacekeepers are healthy and safe in carrying out the tasks entrusted to them," said Sugiono at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten, Saturday (4/4).

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia expressed its deep condolences for the death of three Indonesian peacekeepers while on duty at UNIFIL in Lebanon.

The three personnel are Major Inf. Anumerta Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, Serka Anumerta Muhammad Nur Ichwanserta Kopda Anumerta Farizal Rhomadon.

"We all express our deepest condolences to the families left behind. We hope and pray that the souls of these people will be accepted by the Almighty God, and that their families will be healthy and patient in facing this disaster," said Sugiono.

In addition to the three personnel who died, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also revealed that there were three other personnel who were injured.

"Last night I also received reports that there were three TNI soldiers who were injured, which was also the cause, as was the case with the two previous incidents, which are still being investigated by UNIFIL," he said.

Due to the incident, the government through its permanent representative in New York has taken diplomatic steps by asking the UN Security Council to hold a meeting.

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the request has been approved by France as the penholder of Lebanon at the UN Security Council.

"The extraordinary meeting of the Security Council, the essence of which is that we first condemn the attack on the peacekeepers and this is UNIFIL. Then we also demand that a thorough investigation be carried out because this is a peacekeeping mission," he explained.

Sugiono emphasized that attacks on peacekeepers were unjustifiable acts. The Minister of Foreign Affairs also emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of peacekeepers.

"They are peacekeeping, not peacemaking. They are not equipped with the ability to make or peacemaking. Their equipment and training are to maintain peace, the maintained peaceful situation, and this is also a mandate from the UN peacekeeping," said the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

This step is a strong signal that Indonesia is not only mourning but also leading the change. The sacrifice of the soldiers should not be in vain.

In the midst of loss, one message resonates strongly from the government that the country is present, respects, and will continue to protect every soldier wherever they serve, for a more peaceful world.