Irish won’t join first wave of UN force

IRISH troops will not be deployed in the Lebanese danger-zone between Hezbollah fighters and Israel in the first wave of a UN peace keeping force, Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern last night signalled.

Mr Ahern stressed such a move was “hardly likely” as the Government studied proposed UN rules of engagement for the multi-national mission.

The Foreign Minister said that if Ireland did send troops, they would number about 100 and he would want countries contributing larger forces to sort out the command structure before hand so that Irish soldiers would fit into a suitable “niche” in the 15,000 strong international contingent.