Malbatt Personnel Warmly Accepted By Locals In Lebanon

By Muhammad Afiq Mohd Asri TIBNINE (Lebanon), Sept 25 (Bernama) -- The Lebanese people say members of the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) always put smiles on their faces while patrolling around the district, thus allowing them to be easily accepted by the locals. Defence Logistics assistant chief of staff Maj Gen Datuk Mohd Razif Idris, who is involved in the foot patrol with members of Malbatt 850-5 at the villages in Lebanon, said the smile culture was clearly distinguishing Malbatt from the other battalions from other countries. "When I was patrolling, I asked them (Lebanese people) about Malbatt and they told me that the personnel always smiled. "I noticed that in a short time, the Lebanese people were more open to Malbatt compared to the other battalions," he said during a patrol operation in Barashit on Friday. Mohd Razif said patrolling without wearing bulletproof vests or carrying weapons was among the reasons the Malbatt members were easily accepted by the locals, as they felt threatened if otherwise. “Although they are not wearing bulletproof vests or carrying weapons while on duty, they are always ready and alert to their surroundings,” he added. -- BERNAMA