Malaysia is ready to send a Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) battalion to Gaza to join the peacekeeping force if it receives a mandate from the United Nations (UN).
Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, said all preparations for the assignment have been made, and Malaysia is now only waiting for the official decision of the UN Security Council before any further action is taken.
He explained that the force that will be deployed is not from the existing contingent in Lebanon, but rather involves a new battalion prepared specifically for the Gaza mission.
Commenting on the cost of the operation, Khaled stressed that the matter is not a priority at the moment because the main focus is to help the people of Gaza.
Earlier, the media reported that Malaysia is ready to send a peacekeeping force to Gaza to guarantee peace following the peace plan agreement signed in Egypt yesterday.
Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, previously explained that matters related to the sending of the peacekeeping force will be discussed by the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) before being decided by the UN Security Council.
