The Army expects to pull out of Lebanon this year after 23 years of peacekeeping duty in the Middle East trouble spot, an army spokesman said today.
A 600-strong force will fly out in May for a six month tour of duty with a UN peacekeeping force that is likely to be Ireland's last, following a United Nations decision to reduce its presence.
Irish troops were first sent to Lebanon in 1978 as part of UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) to supervise the withdrawal of Israeli troops and restore peace.
The UN voted yesterday to reduce the 5,800-strong force following Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon last year and the Army said it did not expect its troops to be part of the reduced mission.
Since the Israeli withdrawal, the security situation has stabilised somewhat, Irish Defence Forces press officer Commandant Kieran McDaid, who served three times in Lebanon, told reporters.
Defence Minister Mr Michael Smith said last year that we have a commitment in Lebanon until 2001 and now that seems to be coming into line with the UN's decision to reduce the size and type of the mission.
The Army lost 45 soldiers during the UNIFIL mission. "About half of them died in action", Commandant McDaid said.
Ireland has forces in East Timor, Kosovo and Sarajevo as part of UN missions.
Reuters