Indonesian Foreign Minister Responds to Death of Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah
New York, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has expressed deep concern over the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah during an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Retno revealed that she had engaged in discussions with her counterparts from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), including Saudi Arabia and Jordan, to address the escalating conflict.
“When we conducted a stakeout with several OIC foreign ministers, we raised the issue with the Saudi and Jordanian foreign ministers, serving as spokespersons, and emphasized that while we were gathering at the UN Headquarters, tensions and conflicts were rapidly escalating in Lebanon,” Retno said on Saturday.
The Indonesian foreign minister also highlighted a recurring theme from the High-Level Week of the UNGA: the urgent need to prevent Lebanon from descending into the same cycle of violence and instability witnessed in Gaza. “Do not let what is happening in Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza become a new normal. We must stop all of this. The situation in Lebanon has strengthened our collective determination to resolve the conflict through this UN platform,” she emphasized.
Retno underscored the critical role of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), particularly its permanent members with veto power, in addressing Israel’s actions and stopping the escalation. “The ball is in the court of the UN Security Council, especially the veto holders, as they have the authority to make decisions that could halt Israel’s atrocities,” she said.
Additionally, Retno expressed Indonesia’s concern for the safety of its troops currently serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). “The attack on Lebanon could also have repercussions for our peacekeepers. Indonesia has the largest number of troops deployed to UNIFIL, approximately 1,200 personnel,” she noted.
Indonesia remains committed to playing an active role in international diplomacy, advocating for peace, and supporting efforts to resolve conflicts in the region through dialogue and multilateral cooperation at the UN.
