The Indonesian troops in the UN peace-keeping yel at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase in Jakarta. (ANTARA/Rosa Panggabean/*)
The Indonesia troops in the UN peace-keeping force were called TNI Mechanical Company Garuda XXIII-C1/UNIFIL Contingent and were 150 strong. They were seen off in a military ceremony in Jakarta on Friday.
The TNI chief of general staff, Vice Admiral Didik Heru Purnomo who led the sending off ceremony, said the Indonesian troops in outhern Lebanon were increased in accordance with a UN request, based on the security situation in southern Lebanon.
"With the increase, TNI troops in the UNIFIL now number 1,000 men. Previously, 850 Indonesian troops had served in UNIFIL for a year," he said.
Therefore, the TNI was preparing a replacement for the previous 850-man contingent, Didik said.
He said the overseas military assignment to join the UN peacekeeping mission is an honor and trust to Indonesia in general and the TNI in particular.
"It is in line with the performance and the achievements which were shown previously by TNI soldiers who had joined the UN mission in several areas, including Lebanon," he said.
Therefore, Didik told the departing troops to uphold the honor and trust of the international world in Indonesia and its military, through the peace mission. (*)
