Indonesia Considering Sending Up To 8,000 Peacekeepers To Gaza

JAKARTA, Feb 11 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- The proposed multinational peacekeeping force for the Gaza Strip could number around 20,000 troops, with Indonesia estimating its potential contribution at 8,000, Indonesian presidential spokesman Prasetyo Hadi said.

"The total force is approximately 20,000 troops – and it's not just Indonesia ... Indonesia has estimated it can send up to 8,000 troops. We are simply preparing in case an agreement is reached and the need arises to deploy peacekeeping forces," Hadi said on Tuesday, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

At the same time, Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir said that Indonesia plans to hold a special forum to discuss the situation in Palestine as part of the D-8 meeting this year to advance efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

He noted that the forum will address the latest developments surrounding the Gaza conflict, as well as potential concrete steps that the D-8 countries can take jointly.

Indonesia currently chairs the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation. The organisation, founded in 1997, includes Indonesia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey.

--BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI