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Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter, T.D. secures Government approval for continued participation in Lebanon mission

22 May 2012

Today, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter, T.D., secured the approval of the Government for the continued provision of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), for a further period of 12 months from 30 May 2012.
The 106th Infantry Battalion, which comprises 332 personnel and deployed to UNIFIL earlier this month, will be working alongside Finnish Armed Forces as part of a joint Irish/Finnish battalion with effect from the 1st June 2012. Both Ireland and Finland have a long, and honourable, tradition of active involvement in peace keeping operations and both forces previously served together in the Lebanon mission in 2006/2007 and more recently in the UN operation in Chad.
Speaking following the Government decision, Mr Shatter said: “Ireland’s participation in UNIFIL is an illustration of the very positive and practical difference that a small country like Ireland can make in the world's trouble spots by supporting the United Nations”. The Minister added: “I welcome the participation of Finland in this mission. A partnership such as this is but one example, which demonstrates the joint contribution two small countries can make to international peace and security”.


Note for Editor:
Ireland has a long association with UNIFIL since its establishment in 1978. The main Defence Forces battalion was withdrawn in 2001, following 23 years of service with UNIFIL. Ireland again deployed a contingent to Lebanon in 2006, for a period of 12 months, with a Finnish Engineering company, following on from an escalation of hostilities, when the UNIFIL Force was significantly expanded under a UN mandate. An Irish Battalion returned to the Lebanon in the summer of 2011. Earlier this month, the 106th Infantry Battalion replaced the 105th Infantry Battalion who deployed to Lebanon in November 2011. In April 2012, Brigadier General Patrick Phelan was selected by the United Nations as Deputy Force Commander UNIFIL and assumed his appointment on 28 April 2012.



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