Kenny visits Beirut as troops on high alert

Irish peacekeeping troops on the frontline in Lebanon are on high alert for the possibility the Syrian civil war will engulf the area, military chiefs have revealed, as Enda Kenny becomes the first Taoiseach in 15 years to visit the danger zone.

Mr Kenny was meeting the Lebanese prime minister, Tammam Salam, in Beirut today before heading south to the Israeli border and occupied Golan Heights area as events in Iraq plunged the region further into turmoil.

With Ireland’s death toll during its UN mission in Lebanon standing at 47, army top brass are vigilant about the threat of the Syrian civil war crossing the border which is just 40km from the main base — home to 181 Irish peacekeepers.