Political

Indonesian peacekeepers honoured by Guterres, who lays wreath for four killed in Lebanon

By /

Indonesian peacekeepers were honoured by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on 19 October 2026, when he laid a wreath for four who recently lost their lives in Lebanon, UN News reported. Speaking at the Indonesia Armed Forces Peacekeeping Centre in Sentul, he said they paid the “ultimate sacrifice” to protect others.

Indonesian peacekeepers: UN Secretary-General António Guterres speaks at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta
UN Secretary-General António Guterres speaks at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta Photo: UN Indonesia/Talitha Vanya Ekta via UN News (editorial use with credit).

What Guterres told Indonesian peacekeepers in Sentul

“Their service and their sacrifice will never be forgotten. No one should die serving the cause of peace,” Guterres said, offering his condolences to their families. “Attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes. These violations demand accountability,” he added, pledging to keep pressing member states to ensure the safety of UN personnel. Some of the troops he addressed are preparing to deploy to the Central African Republic. He called that country “a success story that still needs to be completed”, saying most armed groups have made agreements with the government and are giving up their arms, and that success could let the UN gradually downsize its mission there. Guterres, who has worked with the country for 20 years, first as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said the troops’ mission would be decisive in helping state institutions function across its whole territory.

Key Facts

  • Date: 19 October 2026
  • Venue: Indonesia Armed Forces Peacekeeping Centre, Sentul
  • Honoured: four Indonesian peacekeepers killed in Lebanon
  • Indonesia: 6th-largest contributor; nearly 2,000 personnel in 7 missions
  • Next year: co-hosts UN Peacekeeping Ministerial with the Netherlands

“No one should die serving the cause of peace.”

— António Guterres, UN Secretary-General

UN peacekeeping and Indonesia's role

Indonesia is the world’s sixth-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping, with nearly 2,000 uniformed women and men serving across seven missions, according to the UN. Next year it will co-host the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial with the Netherlands. Guterres described the UN’s blue helmets as “a source of hope in some of the world’s most troubled places” and said the 50,000 peacekeepers de-escalate tensions, oversee aid delivery, protect civilians and make room for political solutions. He opened his remarks on a lighter note, telling the troops he was convinced that no bad actors in the Central African Republic would dare confront them.

Gaza, Myanmar and reform talks in Jakarta

In Jakarta, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guterres called Indonesia “a pillar of multilateralism” and a bridge-builder between North and South. “The answer to deepening frustration with multilateralism is not less multilateralism. It is better multilateralism,” he said, calling for reform of international financial institutions and the Security Council. Speaking to reporters alongside Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir, he said that in Gaza “the nightmare must end”, that the peace plan must be fully implemented and that the two-State solution must not be allowed to disappear. He also voiced concern over Myanmar’s deepening crisis and appealed for protection of people fleeing violence, including Rohingya refugees.

Why It Matters: Attacks on blue helmets in Lebanon and elsewhere test the countries that supply troops. Guterres used the visit to call for accountability and to keep major contributors such as Indonesia committed.

Also on TrendDesh: Gaza children: UNICEF says more than 340 killed since the ceasefire was announced a year ago · COP17 biodiversity talks open in Yerevan as UN says fewer than half of nature targets are on track

Source: UN News, 19 Oct 2026 · UN Peacekeeping: troop and police contributors

Share

Today’s News 20 Oct 2026 · 20 stories

  1. India New Zealand FTA comes into force on Vijayadashami with zero duty on all Indian goods1India New Zealand FTA comes into force on Vijayadashami with zero duty on all Indian goodsOct 20, 2026
  2. Swavlamban 2026: Navy innovation seminar set for 26-27 October at Manekshaw Centre2Swavlamban 2026: Navy innovation seminar set for 26-27 October at Manekshaw CentreOct 20, 2026
  3. AUSTRAHIND 2026 begins in Thiruvananthapuram with about 120 troops each from India and Australia3AUSTRAHIND 2026 begins in Thiruvananthapuram with about 120 troops each from India and AustraliaOct 20, 2026
  4. Swachhata Hi Seva 2026: Indian Bureau of Mines wraps up month-long drive with Safai Mitra honours4Swachhata Hi Seva 2026: Indian Bureau of Mines wraps up month-long drive with Safai Mitra honoursOct 20, 2026
  5. ICAR-NBAIR marks 34th Foundation Day in Bengaluru with a call to cut chemical pesticide use5ICAR-NBAIR marks 34th Foundation Day in Bengaluru with a call to cut chemical pesticide useOct 20, 2026
  6. Kartavya Bhawan-3 opens workplace creche for 30-35 children as Jitendra Singh launches blood camp6Kartavya Bhawan-3 opens workplace creche for 30-35 children as Jitendra Singh launches blood campOct 20, 2026
  7. Rajasthan Panchayat Election 2026: 247 in fray in Jaipur phase 2, phase 3 nominations open till 23 October7Rajasthan Panchayat Election 2026: 247 in fray in Jaipur phase 2, phase 3 nominations open till 23 OctoberOct 20, 2026
  8. Muhana Mandi raid: 85,000 kg of pickle and raw material seized in Jaipur, dead lizards found in tanks8Muhana Mandi raid: 85,000 kg of pickle and raw material seized in Jaipur, dead lizards found in tanksOct 20, 2026
  9. Sapno Ki Udaan: Bhajanlal Sharma tells youth drug-free, skilled young people will drive Viksit Bharat9Sapno Ki Udaan: Bhajanlal Sharma tells youth drug-free, skilled young people will drive Viksit BharatOct 20, 2026
  10. Vijayadashami 2026: Bhajanlal Sharma greets Rajasthan after Kanya Pujan at Raj Rajeshwari temple10Vijayadashami 2026: Bhajanlal Sharma greets Rajasthan after Kanya Pujan at Raj Rajeshwari templeOct 20, 2026
  11. Indonesian peacekeepers honoured by Guterres, who lays wreath for four killed in Lebanon11Indonesian peacekeepers honoured by Guterres, who lays wreath for four killed in LebanonOct 20, 2026 · Reading now
  12. Haiti elections on hold as gangs adapt to security crackdown, UN tells Security Council12Haiti elections on hold as gangs adapt to security crackdown, UN tells Security CouncilOct 20, 2026
  13. Sudan drone strikes hit Abyei market and Khartoum as UN condemns attacks killing children13Sudan drone strikes hit Abyei market and Khartoum as UN condemns attacks killing childrenOct 20, 2026
  14. CHAPEA Mission 2 crew marks one year inside NASA’s simulated Mars habitat, exit set for 31 October14CHAPEA Mission 2 crew marks one year inside NASA’s simulated Mars habitat, exit set for 31 OctoberOct 20, 2026
  15. Committee on World Food Security: Türk calls hunger an avoidable tragedy in a world of plenty15Committee on World Food Security: Türk calls hunger an avoidable tragedy in a world of plentyOct 20, 2026
  16. Gaza food aid cut by a third as WFP funding shortfall hits 500,000 people before winter16Gaza food aid cut by a third as WFP funding shortfall hits 500,000 people before winterOct 20, 2026
  17. Deepwater Horizon study finds Gulf of Mexico deep-sea life fell by about 60% and never recovered17Deepwater Horizon study finds Gulf of Mexico deep-sea life fell by about 60% and never recoveredOct 20, 2026
  18. Bieszczady National Park turns red and gold in NASA Landsat 9 image of Poland’s autumn forests18Bieszczady National Park turns red and gold in NASA Landsat 9 image of Poland’s autumn forestsOct 20, 2026
  19. Curiosity rover photographs Martian dawn over wind-carved yardang cliffs on Mount Sharp19Curiosity rover photographs Martian dawn over wind-carved yardang cliffs on Mount SharpOct 20, 2026
  20. Euclid telescope discovers its first new comet, now named C/2026 S1 (Euclid), says ESA20Euclid telescope discovers its first new comet, now named C/2026 S1 (Euclid), says ESAOct 20, 2026

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top