Malbatt Member Dies During Unifil Mission In Lebanon

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 (Bernama) -- A member of the Malaysian Battalion 850-2 (Malbatt 850-2), Corporal Azman Che Soh who served in the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (Unifil) died yesterday after suddenly losing consciousness. Joint Force Command public affairs officer Lieutenant-Colonel Salawati Yahaya said Azman died at about 10.45 am (4.45 pm Malaysian time). He said Azman who was serving at the UNP 2-1 Camp, Marakah, Lebanon, suddenly lost consciousness and was taken for treatment at the Malbatt Hospital Level 1 by medical officer Capt Dr. Mohd Hamzi Mohd Yatim. "When he still did not regain consciousness, he was then referred to Hospital Level 2, Naquora and treated by the hospital specialist. He was pronounced dead at about 10.45 am local time," she said in a statement here Sunday. Salawati said the cause of death had not yet been determined and a post-mortem would be conducted on Dec 8 at the Hariri Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon. "So far, the arrival date of the body in Malaysia is still not confirmed and all arrangements for his body will be made by Unifil and Malbatt 850-2. "A military funeral procession will be held at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base in Subang and his body will be flown to Kota Bharu, Kelantan for funeral arrangements," he said. Azman, 34, who was from Kg Pelunggol, Melor, Kota Bharu in Malaysia's east coast state of Kelantan, served with the 11th Regiment of the Army's Special Forces based in Sungai Udang, Malacca before joining the Unifil mission. He leaves behind a wife and three children, aged seven, four and three. (photoBERNAMA) --BERNAMA