KUALA LUMPUR: The incident involving Malaysian peacekeepers (Malbatt 850-11) in Lebanon occurred while they were passing through an area under the responsibility of the Italian peacekeeping forces (Italbatt).

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the peacekeepers were in the area while making their way back to Marakah camp.

"The area that Malbatt 850-11 passed through was not their assigned zone but was within the area where a meeting was being held. The area is under the responsibility of the Italian forces.

"The residents were indeed very hostile towards the peacekeeping forces (Unifil), which are under the management of the Italian forces," he said when commenting on the incident.

Khaled said that after the Malbatt officers informed the residents that they were part of the Malaysian forces, the aggressive actions ceased, and all personnel were unharmed.

"Following this incident, we may consider placing the Malaysian flag on vehicles involved in peacekeeping and surveillance missions in Lebanon. Additionally, we advise all officers and personnel of Malbatt 850-11 to exercise extra caution," he said.

Khaled also confirmed that no officers or personnel were injured in the incident.

Earlier, it was reported that two vehicles from Malbatt deployed in the United Nations Interim Force (Unifil) mission in Lebanon, were involved in an attack by a group of civilians on Wednesday.

In a statement today, the armed forces Strategic Defense Intelligence and Communication Headquarters said the incident which was captured on video and viralled on social media, occurred on Wednesday at 5.32pm local time in Lebanon or 11.32am Malaysian time.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/1108171/khaled-malaysian-battalion-passed-through-italian-peacekeeping-zone