RI to send war ship to Lebanon

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 12/02/2008 4:53 PM  |  National

Indonesia will send a war ship to Southern Lebanon to help build stability in the region, a top Navy official said on Tuesday.

Fulfilling a request from the UN, the Indonesian Navy will send KRI Diponegoro to Lebanon, RI Navy deputy chief of staff Rear Admiral Moekhlas Sidiq told Antara news agency on Tuesday.

"This is an honor on the international stage. In terms of land deployments (Army) the Indonesian military has been helping (the UN) for decades. March 2009 will be the first time we have been entrusted to send a war ship. This is why we are sending the newest one we own," Sidiq said.

The UN is scheduled to inspect the ship prior to its departure, Sidiq said.

"What is for certain is that this is a peacekeeping mission -- not a war. We are working very hard to get prepared," he said.

Five countries have been asked to serve in the tumultuous region for a six-month operation.

Previously, the Indonesian military has deployed 1,136 personnel to Lebanon under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), to help restore peace and security in the region.

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