PUTRAJAYA: There is no urgent need to evacuate Malaysia's peacekeeping team in Lebanon as the situation remains under control, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. 

He said the Foreign Ministry had prepared contingency plans for evacuation if the need arose.

"The ministry has been monitoring the developments in Gaza and the surrounding areas, particularly the escalating tension against civilians in Lebanon. 

"Our security forces, who are part of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, are in good shape. 

"We maintain daily communication with them," he said at a press conference after officiating at the Humanitarian Initiative for Palestine programme here. 

He said up to now, there was no necessity to evacuate the troops from Lebanon as the situation remained under control. 

"We are waiting (for further instructions) as any withdrawal of peacekeeping troops will be carried out by the UN peacekeeping forces."

Mohamad said not many Malaysians were residing in Lebanon, with the majority of them being military personnel. 

"They are serving as part of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) or the Malaysian Battalion 850-11 (Malbatt 850-11)," he said.

Last year, the second contingent of Malbatt 850-11 embarked on a year-long mission with the Unifil peacekeeping mission.

Led by Deputy Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Zainol Abdul Samad, the group comprises 216 members, including 16 officers, 193 rank-and-file personnel and seven members from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

Malbatt 850-11 has a strength of 854 members, consisting of 82 officers and 772 members of various ranks, including three officers and 27 members from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, as well as a civilian officer from the Defence Ministry.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/1071860/no-urgent-need-withdraw-peacekeeping-team-lebanon-says-minister