Michael Bell
Question:47 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on his recent official visit to Lebanon and the Czech Republic. [9000/01]
Vol. 533 No. 4
47 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on his recent official visit to Lebanon and the Czech Republic. [9000/01]
I visited Irish troops serving with the United Nations in Lebanon during the period 12 to 16 March 2001. I also visited the Czech Republic from 16 to 18 March 2001. During my visit to Lebanon, I was accompanied by the Secretary General of the Department and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. The main purpose of my visit was to observe at first hand the work of Irish military personnel serving in the area and to assure them, on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, how proud we are of the outstanding manner in which they have consistently performed their duties on United Nations service.
During the course of my visit to Lebanon, I met the Lebanese Minister for Defence, Mr. Khalid Hrawi, the Lebanese Chief of Staff and Commander in Chief of the Lebanese Army, General Sleiman and the UNIFIL Force Commander, Major General Obeng, as well as other local representatives and dignitaries. Minister Hrawi told me that he regarded the situation in south Lebanon as good some nine months after the Israeli withdrawal. However, he pointed out that the Shabaa farms area was still occupied, which meant that Resolution 425 had still not been fully implemented. The continued presence of UNIFIL in the south was positive and much desired by Lebanon. Ireland's contribution was highly valued and Ireland's programme of assistance to civilians was greatly appreciated. Minister Hrawi expressed his consciousness of the level of losses sustained by Irishbatt over the years and expressed the gratitude of the Lebanese people and the Lebanese Government.
During the meeting, I explained that our UN role was of great significance to the Irish Defence Forces. Ireland now had 23 years experience in Lebanon and had developed a great rapport with the Lebanese people and an understanding of their position. I indicated that I will be proposing to the Government that we send a further battalion in April 2001, which would be in place until October of this year. We await the Secretary General's report to the Security Council in July, when he will make suggestions about the future UN presence in Lebanon. An observer force with an armed element seemed the most likely future presence.