Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Jun 1992

Vol. 420 No. 9

Written Answers. - South Lebanon Military Operations.

Ben Briscoe

Question:

176 Mr. Briscoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Hisbollah militants, supported by Syria and Iran, are being allowed by the UN to set up positions in UN-patrolled areas of South Lebanon to launch attacks into Israel from which comes retaliation attacks to the endangerment of UN troops, and in particular Irish troops, after which protests then follow by the Irish Government and the UN to the Israeli authorities; if any protests have been made to the Governments of Syria and Iran against their State support for the attacks against Israel in the first place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

It is not the case that the United Nations permit Hisbollah militants or any other armed elements to set up positions inside the UNIFIL area of deployment in South Lebanon. It is United Nations policy to prevent attempts by any armed elements to use that area for the purpose of conducting military operations of any kind. Despite UNIFIL's best efforts, however, armed attacks do occasionally occur there. Most of these attacks are directed at targets in the Israeli-occupied zone of South Lebanon. These actions in turn result in retaliatory attacks by Israeli forces and the Israeli-sponsored militia operating in South Lebanon. Any actions which imperil the lives and safety of Irish UNIFIL personnel, by whomsoever carried out, are totally unacceptable to the Government.

Government practice is to express concern as circumstances warrant to any country with interests or influence in the region, including the countries mentioned in the Deputy's question. Where it can be clearly established that a country's actions cause or contribute to loss of life or injury to Defence Forces personnel while on UN service in South Lebanon, the Government invariably protest to that country.

It remains the Government's firm position that Israel should comply with the terms of Security Council Resolution 425 and withdraw fully from South Lebanon. Its continued military occupation of the area has the effect of preventing UNIFIL from discharging its mandate fully and it is taken as a provocation by local armed elements.