Taoiseach to speak with Lebanese prime minister after agreement of Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

Ahead of the conversation with Najib Mikati, Simon Harris said it will offer an opportunity to reflect on how the opportunity should be used by all parties to secure a permanent peace

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati at a meeting with Taoiseach Simon Harris last month. Picture: Sam Boal/ Collins Photos

Taoiseach Simon Harris will speak with the prime minister of Lebanon following the agreement of a ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Mr Harris has previously welcomed the ceasefire which calls for an initial two-month halt to fighting and requires Hezbollah to end its armed presence in southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops are to return to their side of the border.

Ahead of the conversation with Najib Mikati, Mr Harris said it will offer an opportunity to reflect on how the opportunity should be used by all parties to secure a permanent peace.

The pair met when Mr Mikati visited Dublin on October 25.

The Taoiseach will offer his sympathies to Mr Mikati and the people of Lebanon on the loss of civilian lives.

"I will also assure him of Ireland’s solidarity and steadfast support as Lebanon looks to recovery and reconstruction," Mr Harris said.

"It is important now that those displaced are allowed to return safely to their homes and that much needed humanitarian aid and assistance begins to flow unhindered."

Ireland will stand ready to help the Lebanese government in any way it can and, working with the EU and the UN, will ensure the implementation of the ceasefire, Mr Harris will tell the Lebanese leader.

"I will assure Prime Minister Mikati of Ireland’s continued commitment to Unifil and the vital work our peacekeepers are doing to secure the peace."

On Monday, 200 members of the Defence Forces arrived home from a six-month deployment in war-ravaged Lebanon.

Hundreds packed into the arrivals hall to welcome back 124th Infantry Battalion of Unifil, many of whom had been sheltering in protected bunkers in recent months due to the intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.