Malaysia to begin bringing Malbatt personnel home from Lebanon in January, says defence minister

KOTA TINGGI, Oct 3 — 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 for the personnel would be carried out in stages via several flights, followed by the return of military assets by sea starting January 17.

He noted that all battalions operating in Lebanon are 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 January 17,” he said at a press conference following the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kota Tinggi Muslim Orphanage here today.

In a related development, the Kota Tinggi Member of Parliament expressed Malaysia’s readiness to consider participating in a new peacekeeping force in Lebanon should the United Nations (UN) request it.

However, he said this readiness is subject to the UN’s decision and the mandate provided, as Malaysia will not participate in any military operation that does 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.

Elaborating further, Mohamed 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 remains volatile and exposed to various threats.

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

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