The Irish Defence Minister. Willie O'Dea, has said that Irish troops serving with UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) had carried out duties with “commitment, courage and humanity”. The Minister was speaking as the 24-year deployment of Irish troops in Lebanon comes to a close this weekend.
Irish troops were first deployed to Lebanon in 1978 and a substantial deployment continued until 2001 when it was reduced to a small number of observers. Following renewed conflict between Israel and Lebanon in 2006 the force was again expanded.
During its UN peacekeeping duties almost fifty Irish troops have been killed (out of a total of 267 UN peacekeeper fatalities overall).
The majority of fatalities amongst the Irish peacekeepers occurred as a result of actions by the Israeli Defence Forces or their proxy the South Lebanon Army (SLA). Periodically over the years the Celtic League registered concern to the Israeli government and the UN about the violence exhibited by the Israeli Defence Force and the SLA towards UNIFIL.
As the Irish prepare to leave Lebanon, a move which will be completed in November, there are plans to deploy an Irish contingent as part of a 4000 strong EU force to work in tandem with the African Union and UN in the Chad/Sudan Darfur area.
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
27/10/07
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