UN insists Irish not required to disarm Hezbollah

THE United Nations last night insisted that disarming Hezbollah would not form part of the mission for Irish troops if they were sent to Lebanon.

As part of the Security Council resolution which effected this week’s ceasefire, the UN stabilisation force in the south of the country will be expanded from 2,000 to 15,000.

Its principle task will be to monitor the ceasefire. But the resolution also talks of assisting the Lebanese army as it works towards “the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon”.