Malbatt peacekeepers in Lebanon to return home from January 2027

KOTA TINGGI: All members of the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) currently serving in Lebanon are expected to begin returning home in January 2027, following the conclusion of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) mandate at the end of this year.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the withdrawal process would be carried out in stages via several flights, followed by the return of military assets by sea starting Jan 17.

He said all battalions operating in Lebanon were scheduled to complete their respective deployments by the end of December, in line with the expiration of the mission's mandate.

"Our personnel are expected to start returning next January on several flights, while Malaysian military assets will be brought back by ship starting Jan 17," he said at a press conference following the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kota Tinggi Muslim Orphanage here today.

In a related development, Khaled said Malaysia was prepared to consider participating in a new peacekeeping force in Lebanon should the United Nations (UN) request it.

However, he said this readiness was subject to the UN's decision and the mandate provided, as Malaysia would not participate in any military operation that did not fall under the mandate of the world body.

"If the UN decides to establish a new force under whatever name and requires our involvement, Malaysia is prepared to participate.

"However, this is subject to the UN's decision. We will not participate in any operation that does not fall under the mandate of the relevant world body," he said.

Khaled said the matter was also addressed during his recent working visit to Lebanon, including in discussions with his counterpart, who indicated that the security situation in the country remained volatile and exposed to various threats.

He noted that a UN conference was currently underway, and many of the countries participating in the peacekeeping mission had expressed the view that the mission's termination should be reviewed.

Recounting the history of Malaysia's involvement in Lebanon, Khaled said Malaysian military participation began on a small scale in 2007 before the UN approved a full battalion-strength deployment in 2013.