Phil Hogan
Question:124 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any he has to withdraw Irish troops from the Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8786/00]
Written Answers. - Overseas Missions.
Members of the Defence Forces have been deployed for service with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, since 1978. Six hundred Defence Forces personnel approximately are currently serving with the Irish contingent UNIFIL.
The UNIFIL mandate is reviewed by the United Nations Security Council every six months following a report by the Secretary General of the United Nations. UN Security Council Resolution 1288 of 31 January 2000 has extended the mandate of UNIFIL for a further period of six months, i.e., until 31 July 2000.
On 12 October 1999 the Government approved the provision of a replacement contingent to UNIFIL comprising 620 personnel approximately, all ranks, for a six month period beginning 20 October 1999. The Government decision also allowed for preparations to be made for the selection, training and equipping of a further contingent of approximately 620 personnel, all ranks, to provide for the possibility of Ireland's continued participation in the UNIFIL peacekeeping force beyond January 2000 in the event of the further extension of the UNIFIL mandate. I will shortly seek the approval of Government in relation to the continuation of participation by the Irish Contingent in UNIFIL from April 2000 when the current contingent will be due to return home.
The Israeli Government declared its intention to withdraw its forces from Lebanon not later than July 2000. The legal situation is that UN Security Council Resolution 425 of 1978 requires Israel to end its presence in South Lebanon. If this is to be implemented the attitude adopted by armed elements within Lebanon to the Israeli backed South Lebanese Army, SLA and to Israel will be crucial. A disorderly withdrawal without the agreement of the Lebanese and Syrian Governments could create difficulties for UNIFIL. This scenario could call for the possibility of a revision of the role of UNIFIL in a post withdrawal situation. The emerging developments are being followed closely by the United Nations. Ireland and other UNIFIL troop contributing countries are considering, in consultation with the department of peacekeeping operations in New York, the implications of a number of scenarios attendant on Israeli withdrawal.
Developments in the coming weeks may give a clearer indication as to what the future role for UNIFIL would be in the re-establishment of Lebanese sovereignty over its territory. One possibility is that the Lebanese authorities would seek a reinforcement of UNIFIL until such time as its function could be undertaken by the Lebanese army, but there is no certainty as yet as to what the final outcome will be. It is my view that should the situation prevail where the safety of Defence Force personnel was seriously compromised there may be no option but to withdraw them.
The White Paper on Defence, approved by the Government on 29 February 2000, considered the participation by the Defence Forces in Lebanon in the context of overseas peace support operations overall. The White Paper drew attention to the changing political situation in the region and identified the need to establish Ireland's options in relation to continued participation and the scope for scaling down on our commitment in South Lebanon. The White Paper recognised the significant draw on overall PDF resources and the associated implications for undertaking other peace support operations. For the present I am satisfied that it is desirable to continue the UNIFIL commitment. As I stated, I will shortly be seeking Government approval for continuation of participation by the Irish contingent from next month. I will keep the matter under close review in consultation with the military authorities and the Department of Foreign Affairs with particular regard to developments in the post-July 2000 situation.
I visited the Irish troops serving with UNIFIL during the period 14 to 19 March 2000. During the course of my visit I indicated that while Ireland would wish to maintain a commitment to UNIFIL until such time as the mandate was discharged, I nevertheless stressed the fact that the safety of Irish troops was of paramount concern.