Always ready for action

Members of the defence forces have been deployed to south Lebanon to quell tensions. While their commander attests to their readiness for the mission, if violence escalates it could prevent a visit by President McAleese, writes Political Reporter Juno McEnroe in Tibnin.

THE head of the Irish army peacekeeping mission to Lebanon has said troops are ready for any conflict and are prepared for rioting and clashes similar to those experienced in recent weeks in the region of the war- torn country where they are based.

Preparations for any outbreak of violence come as consideration is being given to a formal visit by President Mary McAleese to south Lebanon in her final days before leaving office in November.

Members of the defence forces here are equipped with the latest anti-riot protection gear and are monitoring developments after Palestinian refugees were killed in recent clashes with Israelis on the Lebanese border.

Commander of the battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Bolger said the security situation in the new Irish area of operations was challenging but troops were trained and ready for any outbreak of fighting.

“The security situation is very difficult, otherwise we wouldn’t be here,” he said.

The Irish Examiner has learned that President McAleese is keen to visit Lebanon, in a tribute to the new Irish mission and after having visited the Irish 82nd battalion there at Christmas time, 1997.

Preparations are under way for the visit both here and at home.

But with increased violence in the region with the Arab Spring revolution and political tension in Lebanon itself, the trip may be stopped for security reasons, informed sources have said.

Some 10 Palestinian refugees were killed and 100 injured here when thousands of protesters marched on the Lebanese ‘Blue Line’ boundary with Israel on May 15. A UN report later found Israelis had opened fire on unarmed protesters.

One of the two Irish frontline posts of the new mission to Lebanon is based just metres from the Israeli border where clashes took place.

Lt Col Bolger said the mandate of the new mission allowed troops to move “fluidly” on the ground but also required them to support Lebanese troops.

“Our rules of engagement do allow us to respond to any situation that may arise. Of course such response has to be proportional and has to be appropriate to the situation.”

If fighting breaks out in south Lebanon, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have primary responsibility but can call for Irish backup if needed.

“The Lebanese army specifically requested UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon) not to involve themselves in the [May] incident, that they could handle it themselves. As we know, it very quickly got out of hand,” he said.

“If we are called upon in such a situation, we have the training, the equipment and the people to deal with the situation.”

Using Camp Shamrock as a base near the village of Tibnin, the 440-strong Irish mission became operational only in the last three weeks.

Palestinians, thousands of whom are refugees in southern Lebanon, are expected to push for international recognition of their state in the autumn. This move plus a UN demand for the arrest of Hezbollah militants over the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri are expected to increase tensions in the region. This could influence the decision on Mrs McAleese’s visit.

Lt Col Bolger said his troops are trained and ready for any further outbreak of violence. Local leaders are also keeping the camp up to speed on developments in the 140sq km Irish area of operations.

He said: “We feel that we have the pulse of the area. If the situation changes, we will have to modify the way in which we operate. We have a very robust force here if we require it.”

During army sweeps for Hezbollah weapons, no illegal arms have been found to indicate there was a growing arsenal of munitions being built up to fight the Israelis again, he indicated.

“Certainly in the south the people are very nervous of military forces. They have been through quite a lot. It’s our job to reassure them and gain their support,” he said.

Irish weaponry

A VARIETY of heavy and tactical weapons are available to Irish troops serving in Lebanon:

* 32 Mowag heavy armoured personnel carriers, some which have grenade launchers and mounted machine guns.

* Heckler and Koch 40mm grenade machine guns, which can fire a number of grenades per minute with a range of 1.5km.

* Gas masks, armoured flak jackets and helmets and Style rifles, enough rations for 72 hours on the body of each soldier.

* General purpose machine guns, with a range of 800 to 1,800 metres which can fire 750 to 1,000 rounds a minute (there is one gun for every nine people in the mission).

* Carl Gustaf 84mm anti-tank gun, can explode on contact or in the air. Takes five men to operate and has a range of 1.9km, firing up to eight rounds a minute.

* Bolt action rifle, with a range of up to 1km. The most efficient weapon on the battlefield, say troops. Operated by a spotter and a shooter. Can fire up to 10 shots a minute. Also used by British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

* Javlin anti-tank system. Locks onto target and fires. Maximum range, 2.5km. Weighs 21kg and has thermal imaging. Can take out aircraft and helicopters. Used by soldiers in Iraq.

* Night vision goggles, single or double-eye, which can be used on gun sights or alone.

* Anti-riot gear, enough for 100 troops. Bean bag round fire capability and fire and stab protective clothing. Similar to equipment used by Italian police.

* Ruag Swiss mortar, 120mm, range of 7.5km, can fire six rounds per minute.

* Ordnance equipment used to control firepower from a distance through links with locations.

* Light tactical armoured vehicles, designed to take mortar or IED threat, weighs nine tonnes and has a crew of four.

* “The beast”, a rescue truck for army vehicles weighing 35 tonnes and capable of lifting the equivalent weight.