{
  "id": 18727545,
  "title": "Ties with Lebanon to continue after peacekeepers return, says Zahid",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/ties-with-lebanon-to-continue-after-peacekeepers-return-says-zahid-18727545",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T13:36:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/11/07/ties-with-lebanon-to-continue-after-peacekeepers-return-says-zahid"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia has pledged to maintain its ties with Lebanon even after its peacekeepers withdraw from the UN peacekeeping force in the country, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced in Istanbul today. Speaking with his Lebanese counterpart Tarek Mitri, Zahid emphasized that the friendship between the two nations should continue through mutual cooperation to aid Lebanon in rebuilding its infrastructure, economies, and providing humanitarian assistance, technical and vocational education and training. Zahid highlighted that Malaysia and Lebanon share a special bond, particularly due to Malaysia's involvement in UN peacekeeping operations since 2007. For nearly two decades, Malaysian peacekeepers have played a crucial role in fostering peace and stability in southern Lebanon. Malaysia's peacekeeping mission in Lebanon is set to conclude in January 2027, following the expiration of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon's mandate at the end of this year. Earlier, Zahid held discussions with Mitri and the secretary-general of the Developing Eight (D8) grouping, which comprises Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, and Nigeria.",
  "summary": "The deputy prime minister says Malaysia can help Lebanon to rebuild infrastructure and provide humanitarian assistance as well as defence cooperation.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Malaysia, Turkiye To Bolster Security Agenda, Target US$10 Bln Trade - Ahmad Zahid",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/general-malaysia-turkiye-to-bolster-security-agenda-target-us-10-bln",
        "published": "2026-11-07T08:06:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Zahid, Erdoğan discuss lifting Malaysia–Turkiye trade to US$10 billion by 2030",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/zahid-erdogan-discuss-lifting-malaysia-turkiye-trade-to-us-10-billion",
        "published": "2026-11-07T09:16:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Zahid says Malaysia stands ready to help Lebanon rebuild after conflict",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/zahid-says-malaysia-stands-ready-to-help-lebanon-rebuild-after",
        "published": "2026-11-07T12:07:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}