The Minister for Defence, Mr Michael Smith, is on a tour of Lebanese villages today to thank them for their support of Irish troops stationed there.
The Minister’s visit marks the final stages of the withdrawal of Irish troops from Lebanon.
"He is on tour of villages in south Lebanon where there has been an Irish presence over the last 23 years today to say thanks to the Lebanese for all their help over the past 23 years," a spokesman from the Department of Defence told Ireland.com.
Tomorrow the Minister and Chief of Staff Lieut Gen Colm Mangan will officiate a short closing ceremony and dedication of the memorial at 7.30 a.m. (5.30 a.m. Irish time).
Although the closing of the gates of Camp Shamrock for the last time will be left to Cmdt John O’Brien, battalion commander Lieut Col Gerry Hegarty will hand over control of the Irish area of operations to a Ghanaian UN battalion tomorrow.
Over 20,000 Irish troops have served and 46 Irish soldiers were killed on UN peacekeeping duty in Lebanon since 1978.