Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi asserted on Friday (11/10/2024) that Indonesia will not be intimidated by Israeli terrorism through attacks on property and United Nations (UN)  peacekeepers in Lebanon.

"The attack is an act of terrorism by Israel against peacekeeping forces and the international community. Indonesia emphasizes that those who uphold the principles of peace will never be intimidated," she said in the sidelines of the 45th ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos, responding to Israel's attack on the UNIFIL base in Naqoura, Lebanon, which occurred on Thursday.

As the fifth-largest contributor of UN peacekeeping troops globally and the largest in UNIFIL, Minister Retno said that Indonesia will always support UN peacekeeping missions in accordance with the 1945 Constitution.

She emphasized that Indonesian peacekeeping forces will remain committed to this mandate and urge the UN Security Council to ensure the protection of its mandate through concrete actions.

On this occasion, Minister Retno said that the UN Security Council had held a briefing meeting to discuss the current situation in the Middle East on Thursday, convened at France's request concerning issues related to Lebanon and UNIFIL.

She revealed that this meeting was crucial in responding to the escalation of conflict in Lebanon, particularly regarding Israel's attacks on UNIFIL peacekeeping forces in the neutral "Blue Line" area.

Minister Retno reiterated that Indonesia strongly condemns Israel's attacks and labeled the assault on UN property and personnel in Lebanon as a violation of the UN Charter, principles of multilateralism, and international humanitarian law.

She called on collective action from the international community to maintain stability and security in the region and to respect applicable human rights.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)