Simon Coveney: Troop rotation will go ahead.

Irish troops will remain on peacekeeping duty in the contested Golan Heights territory despite armed clashes and rebel attacks on United Nations soldiers.

Defence Minister Simon Coveney said last night that pulling Irish troops out of the area between Syria and Israel could contribute to instability in the region.

His comments came after Israel yesterday shot down a Syrian jet, saying the army aircraft had strayed less than a mile into its airspace in the Golan Heights.