TNI Chief General Djoko Santoso greets some personnels grouped in UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) at TNI headquarter in Jakarta (11/19). (ANTARA/Saptono)
"In addition to troops, we will also send nine officers to get first hand information on the effectiveness of the TNI`s presence in the UN peace mission in Lebanon," TNI Chief General Djoko Santoso said here on Thursday.
After seeing off 1,125 TNI troops departing for Lebanon here on Thursday, the TNI Chief said the evaluation of the troop sending was aimed at making it more effective and efficient in the future.
Indonesia joined the UN peace mission for the first time in 1957. Since then, Indonesia has participated in 25 UN peace missions worldwide. Currently, Indonesia is participating in seven UN peace missions in a number of countries.
Indonesia`s participation in UN peace missions was in line with the 1945 Constitution which promotes an independent and active foreign policy as well as world peace, he said.
"So, We join the UN peace mission without sacrificing national security," he said.
After France and Italy, Indonesia is the third largest contributor of military personnel to UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon).
UNIFIL was created by the Security Council in 1978 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security and assist the Lebanese Government in restoring its effective authority in the area.(*)
