Indonesian contingent arrives in Lebanon to join UN peacekeepers
The son of Indonesia's president is among the 125 troops; 800 additional troops to join later in November.
By The Associated PressA first installment of Indonesian troops, including the son of the country's president, arrived in Lebanon on Friday to join a United Nations peacekeeping force monitoring the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, Beirut airport authorities said.
The 125-member advance team landed at Beirut airport aboard two United States Air Force planes from Istanbul. They boarded buses at the airport and headed to south Lebanon where they will take up positions along with thousands of other peacekeepers from some 20 countries in the UN's Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL.
Force Commander Brigadier General Sonny Prasetyo said his troops were here "to support UN forces in Lebanon" and help fulfill the mandate of UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas on August 14.
The soldiers, whose departure was delayed several times, will prepare for the arrival of the remaining 800 Indonesian troops later this month.
Among those who arrived on Friday was 1st Lieutenant Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, the son of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who volunteered for the mission.
Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, was quick to offer troops to the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.
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Indonesia's military advisor to the UN welcoming to Son of Indonesia's President upon his arrival at Beirut on Friday. (AP) |
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