asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts being made to install the Lebanese army in Southern Lebanon in areas at present policed by UNIFIL forces.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Lebanese Army.
14.
Lebanese army units are attached to UNIFIL battalions in Southern Lebanon. At present these units are concentrated at various battalion headquarters. The headquarters of the Lebanese army detachment itself is at Arzun, just south of the Litani River. Efforts to restore the full sovereignty of the Lebanese government over the whole country are continuing and Ireland, together with the other members of UNIFIL and its partners in the Ten, is ready to assist these efforts in whatever way is open to it. The withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon, as called for by the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the Lebanese government, would be a major step towards re-establishment of full sovereignty. The attainment of that goal would, of course, mean that the Lebanese army would be in a position to patrol the entire country.