Irish Defence Forces to take command of UN peacekeeping battalion in Lebanon

The Irish Defence Forces take over command of a UN peacekeeping battalion in South Lebanon today.

A ceremony will mark the transfer of command of the UNIFIL battalion from Finland to Ireland, for two years.

Irish and Finnish forces form a joint unit in the region, with some 380 Irish personnel involved.

Minister with Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe is attending today's ceremony.

He says the Irish Government remains strongly committed to Ireland's peacekeeping role in Lebanon.