The Garuda contingent needs support to improve its defense equipment and other needs, including vehicles and electric generator upgrades.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Garuda Battalion (Indobatt) contingent stationed in Lebanon must continue to be supported, including by fulfilling its needs, according to the House of Representatives’ (DPR's) Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP).

"The Garuda contingent needs support to improve its primary weapons system (alutsista) and other needs, including vehicles and electric generator upgrades," BKSAP Deputy Chair Putu Rudana stated, according to a statement released here on Monday.

He delivered the statement after leading the BKSAP delegates, comprising the agency's chair, Fadli Zon, its deputies, and other members, at a meeting with the Indonesian battalion on the sidelines of their working visit to Lebanon.

The support will be vital as the Garuda Indobatt contingent is on the front line of the peace mission of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), he said.

Rudana also asked President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto to meet the battalion personnel in Lebanon to boost their spirit while conducting their duties there.

"We hope the President can come here (because it will be) vital to express full support for our Garuda Indobatt contingent under the UNIFIL. The Defense Minister must also do the same," the legislator added.

According to Rudana, the main purpose of BKSAP's visit to Lebanon was to express the DPR's support for the Lebanese Parliament in addressing the nation’s internal issues and discuss potential cooperation in various aspects.

"In general, our visit is to enhance diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Lebanon in its 70th year," he said.

He affirmed that the parliament will also continue contributing to world peace through parliamentary diplomacy.

"DPR RI continues enhancing its roles to contribute to world peace, including in the Middle Eastern region. Parliamentary diplomacy is essential to bridge various national interests mandated by Law No. 17 of 2014 and is an implementation of the 1945 Constitution," Rudana said.
The Indonesian and Lebanese parliaments are both part of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA).

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Translator: Tri Meilani A, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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