Tánaiste: Ending Lebanon peacekeeping mission now would be 'wholly irresponsible'

Simon Harris says Ireland remains committed to peacekeeping as the UN extends its mission in volatile Lebanon until 2027

Tanaiste Simon Harris reviews troops as he arrives for his visit to Camp Shamrock near the border with Lebanon and Israel to meet Defence Forces troops serving with the Unifil peacekeeping mission amid escalating clashes between the IDF and Hezbollah. File   picture

It would have been “wholly irresponsible” to end the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) peacekeeping mission now, Tánaiste and defence minister Simon Harris said.

The mission is now scheduled to end in 2027, followed by a one-year extension and a year-long troop drawdown.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio One, Mr Harris said he had mixed feelings about the UN Security Council resolution, noting there was a “significant chance” in recent weeks that the mission could have ended immediately without renewal.

Mr Harris said that while he would not speak for the US, its representatives raised cost concerns and questioned the mission’s value.

“I must say we did have constructive engagement with the US, and I think we saw the benefit of countries working together, of France, of Austria, of Ireland, of Italy, of Lebanon itself,” Mr Harris said.

UN officials told the US that while it had concerns, an abrupt end to the mission would create an “extraordinarily dangerous situation” in a volatile region.

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The Tánaiste noted that a new Lebanese government is in place and is “extremely serious” about disarming Hezbollah and offering people in Lebanon a “new start.”

“The idea that we, the international community, the peacekeepers of the world, would walk away at this moment would have been wholly, wholly irresponsible,” Mr Harris said.

“The diplomatic campaign has gotten us to a much improved situation. If they say a week is a long time in politics, trying to predict with certainty where we’ll be by the middle or end of 2027, is a very, very challenging thing to do.” 

Mr Harris rejected suggestions the mission had gone on too long and condemned the “pain and misery” Hezbollah continues to inflict on Lebanese people and Irish peacekeepers.

Mr Harris said:

I think what is important now though is that we don’t turn our back on Lebanon.

The Tánaiste said, despite the winddown of the mission, there would still be opportunities for people to serve on peacekeeping missions abroad.

“Come what may, Irish people will continue to serve in Óglaigh na hÉireann in overseas missions and there will be other opportunities to serve with distinction in the name of peace.

“We’ve seen troops serve in other parts of the world in the past and we’re going to see that again in the future. We remain very committed to peacekeeping in Ireland and in the Defence Forces.”