The ship tour aims not only to promote Indonesian arts and culture, but also the Indonesian military's active role in maintaining world security within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Indonesian Embassy in Beirut in collaboration with the Indonesian Warship KRI Frans Kaisiepo (FKO)-368 held a ship tour which was participated in by 50 students of Saint Joseph University (SJU) in Beirut, Lebanon, on March 3, 2023.

The ship tour aims not only to promote Indonesian arts and culture, but also the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI)'s active role in maintaining world security within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a written statement quoted by Indonesia Window on Tuesday.

In his remarks, the Indonesian Ambassador to Lebanon, Hajriyanto Y. Thohari, said that one of the missions of the Indonesian Embassy was to strengthen relations between the Lebanese and Indonesian peoples, to know each other and to build good cooperative relations for the interests of both countries.

"This ship tour event is one of our collaborations to pave the way for this mission," Ambassador Hajriyanto explained.

Hajriyanto said that the ship tour and promotional programs could provide additional information about Indonesia and its role in carrying out the peace mission, as well as attract the attention of the Lebanese people to the Indonesian arts and culture, especially among students and millennials.

"I hope this event can bring the best unforgettable memories for the participants," he said.

In the ship tour, the participants consisting of university students and professors/lecturers watched various dances performed by the crew members of the KRI FKO-368, toured around KRI FKO-368 guided by KRI FKO-368 officers, video screening on Indonesian culture/tourism and presentation on the role of the Indonesian war ship’s world peace mission in the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force (MTF).

On the sidelines of the event, the participants also enjoyed a variety of typical Indonesian snacks such as spring rolls, pastel, klepon (sweet rice cake balls), stuffed tofu, nona manis, ginger rice drink and Indonesian instant coffee product, Caffino.

On the occasion, Prof. Cristian Toutel who led the Saint Joseph University group expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut and the KRI Frans Kaisiepo (FKO)-368 warship.

For him this was an honorary invitation to the university and signifies the strong friendly relations between Indonesia and Lebanon, especially between the Indonesian Embassy and SJU University.

According to him, Indonesia is a very beautiful country, filled with the beauty of its nature and tourism.

Reporting by Indonesia Window