The departure of Indonesian troops to Lebanon to carry out a peacekeeping mission under the United Nations had been delayed due to technical problems, said Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Marshal Djoko Suyanto here on Monday.

"The departure of the troops depends fully on the UN transportation readiness," Antara news agency quoted the commander as saying before attending a coordination meeting on security, politics and law enforcement.

The delay had also been caused by technical problems in the field, faced by the UN International Force in Lebanon (Unifil), he added.

He said the team would only depart on Oct. 17-19 in line with the UN request or five days longer than scheduled, namely Oct. 10.

Regarding the purchasing of VAB armored vehicles from France that had been ordered by Indonesia for use to support the operation of its troops in Lebanon, Djoko said that they were no longer a problem, adding that they would directly be sent to Lebanon from France.

Indonesia was reported to send a 851-member mechanical battalion, covering 15 members of the National Force Headquarters, 576 of the army, 221 of the navy and 39 of the air force.

Source: Xinhua