The Irish commander of the EU peace enforcement mission to Chad today warned the troubled African region could face a worsening humanitarian situation.

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese joined 500 members of the Defence Forces in Lourdes at the weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the international military pilgrimage to the Marion shrine.

IRELAND’S peacekeeping mission to the central African country of Chad has been postponed until next year due to what the Government said was a lack of adequate air support for troops.