Lebanon trip for Minister Smith

The Minister for Defence, Michael Smith, has left for Lebanon, where he will visit Irish personnel serving with the United Nations interim force.

Mr Smith will also meet the Lebanese Minister for Defence, Mr Khalid Hrawi. While in Beirut, he will also hold talks with the force commander of UNIFIL Major General Seth Kofi Obeng.

Later this week, minister Smith will visit Irish troops serving in different posts in the Irish area of operation.