Irish soldiers to be deployed to Lebanon

Ottoline Spearman

More than 350 Irish soldiers will soon deploy to Lebanon as part of one of the last UN peacekeeping missions in the region.

Members of the 127th Infantry Battalion will be reviewed by Tánaiste and Defence Minister Simon Harris at Custume Barracks in Athlone, County Westmeath on Friday.

Their six-month deployment will likely serve as the penultimate United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping mission, after a vote earlier this year agreed to see it wind down by the end of next year.

In August, the Irish Times reported that the United Nations Security Council approved a proposal to allow peacekeepers, including Irish troops, to remain in Lebanon until 2027, with the UNIFIL mandate extended to the end of 2026.

Ireland contributes around 350 troops to the 10,000 strong mission, making it the Defence Forces’ largest overseas posting.

The mission was established in 1978 to enforce a truce following Israel’s first invasion of south Lebanon.

Speaking on Newstalk, Mr Harris said that he is proud of the Defence Forces' role in the operation: "We all know that the UN Security Council took a decision to only renew the mandate until the end of 2026, and then for the mission to be concluded during 2027.

"It is so important during this time that Ireland continues to play its part in vital peacekeeping in this region of the world."