150 Irish troops get green light for Lebanon

THE Government has formally sanctioned a 150-strong Irish force to Lebanon, Defence Minister Willie O’Dea announced yesterday.

Mr O’Dea said the security situation in Lebanon was “stable, but volatile” and that neither Israel nor Hezbollah were eager to resume hostilities.

However, he said there was a possible threat posed by al-Qaida, whose second- in-command reportedly described the UN force, UNIFIL, as “enemies of Islam”.

The minister said al-Qaida was suspected of having training camps in the country.

Mr O’Dea was speaking at the annual delegate conference of PDFORRA, the representative body of soldiers, airmen and sailors.

“The main purpose of the troops is to provide protection for Finnish engineers involved in humanitarian and construction work,” the minister told delegates.

He said the Cabinet sanctioned a one-year mission, which would be reviewed, with the possibility of extending Ireland’s contribution for a further two to three years.

He said the force — subject to Dáil approval this week — would arrive in Lebanon at the end of the month.

The minister said he was naturally concerned for the safety of the force.

“The intelligence available to us suggests that Hezbollah and the Israeli Defence Forces have no intention of resuming hostilities, and that Hezbollah has no intention of confronting UNIFIL.

“There is some intelligence ... that al-Qaida have a number of training camps in southern Lebanon, and have described the UNIFIL force as enemies of Islam.

“We have to be conscious of that, but I have every confidence in the Lebanese Government to keep these al-Qaida pockets very firmly under control.”

Mr O’Dea said the question of Hezbollah disarmament “goes on” and the UN view is that it would have to be part of a political process.

Mr O’Dea said the mission would provide the Defence Forces with an opportunity to work with one of our potential partners in the new EU Battlegroups.

Defence Forces chief of staff, Lieutenant General Jim Sreenan welcomed the announcement.

He said the force would operate in Ibil as Saqy in the north-east sector of southern Lebanon.

While always concerned about the safety of Irish troops overseas, Lieut Gen Sreenan said they were better trained, experienced and equipped than before.

Mr O’Dea said he intended to visit the Irish troops a couple of weeks after they arrive.