Department rejects Western Sahara troop claims

Withdrawal of troops 'in no way represents any reduction in our commitment'

Green Party TD Patrick Costello: Called for Ireland to raise the issue of self-determination for the region at the UN Security Council. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The Department of Defence has denied that the withdrawal of two Irish troops from Western Sahara represents a reduction in commitment to the region.

Two Irish personnel had been with the UN Minurso mission until July in the former Spanish North African territory which was annexed by Morocco in 1975.