Jakarta, May 13 -- The Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs considers to withdraw the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) troops from Lebanon if conditions on the ground are unfavorable and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) cannot guarantee their protection.

"If UNIFIL's mandate is no longer capable to provide protection for the peacekeeping personnel, then an early troop withdrawal is one option being considered," the ministry's head of public relations and information bureau, Brigadier General Honi Havana, said on Tuesday (May 12).

He mentioned the choice demonstrates Indonesian government's stance on the soldiers' safety as a top priority.

However, Havana believes that sending TNI troops to Lebanon...