Indonesia’s U.N. representative, Umar Hadi, made the request during an emergency Security Council meeting on Tuesday, urging an independent inquiry rather than relying on explanations provided by Israel.

The call comes after two separate incidents over the weekend in southern Lebanon that killed Indonesian troops serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).The Indonesian foreign ministry said earlier this week that ongoing Israeli military operations in the region had placed U.N. peacekeepers at significant risk.

The deaths occurred during a period of intensified violence that also saw Lebanese journalists and medical personnel killed in Israeli strikes.One of the victims, Farizal Rhomadhon, 28, died in an attack on Sunday.

Local media reported that he is survived by his wife and child. In his hometown in Yogyakarta, relatives gathered to mourn, with family members saying his body had yet to be returned to Indonesia.

Indonesia’s initial response to the deaths drew criticism domestically, particularly on social media, where users questioned the lack of clarity regarding the cause of the incident. Authorities had initially described the event as resulting from “indirect artillery fire.”

Preliminary findings cited by U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix indicated that a roadside explosion struck a convoy carrying two Indonesian peacekeepers on Monday.

The Israeli military said its internal review found no evidence that its forces had placed explosive devices in the area or conducted operations there at the time.

Indonesia is among the largest contributors to U.N. peacekeeping missions, with more than 2,700 personnel deployed as of 2024. The country has also pledged troops for a potential U.N.-mandated multinational stabilization force in Gaza.

Dissanayake said Washington had sought permission for the aircraft to land at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport between March 4 and March 8.

The planes were reportedly carrying anti-ship missiles and were to arrive from a U.S. base in Djibouti.“We turned down the request to maintain Sri Lanka’s neutrality,” Dissanayake said, adding that the decision was met with approval from lawmakers.

The president said Sri Lanka also rejected a separate request from Iran for three naval vessels to make a goodwill visit between March 9 and March 13 after participating in an Indian naval exercise.

“We were considering this request. Had we said ‘yes’ to Iran, we would have had to say ‘yes’ to the U.S. as well,” he said, indicating Colombo’s effort to avoid alignment with either side.

The decisions come amid heightened tensions following military action by the United States and Israel against Iran in late February, which has disrupted energy flows and unsettled global markets.

Sri Lanka’s navy was also involved in rescue operations linked to the conflict. Authorities said 32 Iranian crew members were rescued from the vessel IRIS Dena after it was torpedoed on March 4, in an incident that reportedly caused significant casualties.

A second vessel, IRIS Booshehr, and its crew were assisted after encountering technical difficulties near Sri Lankan waters.

The developments coincide with a visit by Sergio Gor, who met Dissanayake on Thursday as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement.

Sri Lanka, still recovering from a financial crisis that peaked in 2022, is facing renewed economic pressure due to energy supply disruptions linked to the regional conflict, underscoring the challenges of maintaining a neutral stance.

Rising energy costs linked to the conflict and fears of a renewed refugee influx have elevated the Middle East crisis to a central issue at the summit, officials said, alongside efforts to secure agreement on a 90 billion-euro ($104 billion) loan intended to support Ukraine’s war-strained finances.

Energy and Middle East concernsLeaders are weighing options to mitigate economic shocks from the conflict, including proposals from the European Commission for a “toolbox” of measures aimed at lowering energy prices across the 27-nation bloc. A senior EU diplomat said no single policy would suit the bloc’s diverse energy markets, underscoring the complexity of the response.

Several EU countries have resisted calls from U.S. President Donald Trump to deploy military assets to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global shipments of oil, gas and fertilizer, reflecting caution over deeper involvement in the conflict.

The summit is also focused on a standoff between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and other EU leaders over the Ukraine loan agreed in principle in December. Orbán withdrew support after disruptions to the Druzhba oil pipeline earlier this year, citing energy security concerns.

“If there is no oil, there is no money,” Orbán said in a social media post, linking Hungary’s backing of the loan to stable energy supplies.

EU officials are seeking to persuade Hungary and Slovakia, whose Prime Minister Robert Fico has also adopted pro-Russia positions, to lift their objections. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has preposed EU funding to repair the Druzhba pipeline and develop alternative supply routes for both countries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said blocking the loan was “absolutely unfair,” stressing that the funds are essential as Kyiv faces a deepening budget crisis amid its war with Russia, which began in February 2022.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged swift agreement on both the loan and a new package of sanctions against Moscow, warning against allowing domestic political considerations within member states to hinder collective action.

He said the EU must “increase the pressure on Moscow together,” in coordination with the United States, as leaders gather to reconcile internal divisions with mounting geopolitical and economic pressures.

China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Washington should “speak and act cautiously” on Taiwan and “correct their understanding of China,” responding to questions about the U.S. report during a regular press briefing in Beijing.

Lin reiterated Beijing’s position on Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory, and called on the United States to avoid actions or rhetoric that could escalate tensions. The Taiwan issue remains one of the most contentious points in U.S.-China relations, with Washington maintaining unofficial ties and providing defensive support to the self-ruled island.

The U.S. intelligence report, referenced in the exchange, assessed that China does not have plans to launch an invasion of Taiwan in the coming year, offering a near-term outlook that contrasts with broader concerns in Washington over Beijing’s long-term military intentions.

The remarks underscore ongoing friction between the world’s two largest economies over security perceptions and strategic competition. U.S. officials have repeatedly warned about China’s growing military capabilities and assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, while Beijing has accused Washington of exaggerating threats to justify its regional posture.

Lin said the United States should align its statements and actions more carefully on Taiwan, signaling Beijing’s continued sensitivity to external commentary on the matter.

China’s response reflects its consistent opposition to what it describes as the “China threat theory,” a narrative Beijing says mischaracterizes its intentions. Lin said the United States should align its statements with what China views as a more accurate understanding of its policies.

The exchange highlights the sensitivity surrounding Taiwan, which remains a central point of contention in relations between China and the United States, particularly in the context of security assessments and diplomatic signaling.

Public statements tied to intelligence findings often carry broader geopolitical implications, shaping perceptions among regional actors and influencing diplomatic engagement.

The latest comments underscore how both sides continue to manage competing narratives while maintaining firm positions on sovereignty and security concerns.