Malaysia to hand over 292 Malbatt assets to Lebanese Armed Forces

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will hand over 292 Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) assets in Lebanon, worth an estimated US$10 million, to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as part of the withdrawal process.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the assets, including vehicles and various equipment, would be handed over in stages until January 2027.

"As part of the withdrawal process, some Malbatt assets will be brought back to Malaysia, some disposed of in Lebanon, while others will be handed over to the LAF.

"This handover involves 292 assets estimated to be worth around US$10 million, including vehicles and various equipment, which will be handed over in stages until January 2027," he said in a Facebook post today.

Khaled is currently at Marakah Camp in Lebanon, where he witnessed the symbolic handover ceremony yesterday.

He expressed hope that the assets would benefit the LAF and local communities through welfare and humanitarian assistance, while contributing to peace.

The assets were symbolically handed over by Joint Forces Commander Lieutenant-General Datuk Seri Tengku Muhammad Fauzi Tengku Ibrahim to LAF representative Brigadier-General Bassem Saad.

Malbatt 850-13 is Malaysia's final contingent under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) mission in southern Lebanon, marking the end of nearly two decades of Malaysian involvement in peacekeeping operations in the country.