Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
53. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he is aware of the concerns raised by the head of the UNIFIL mission and Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro about the security situation in South Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50908/23]
View answerI want to deal with the concerns raised by the head of the UNIFIL mission and force commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro about the security situation in south Lebanon. The Tánaiste has already spoken about how none of us want to see an escalation of anything in the Lebanon on the basis of the slaughter happening in Gaza. He spoke about peacekeeping being the most noble act of all, but we must ensure we have best practice in protocols, operations and equipment for our troops.
The diplomatic networks are being worked to the full to try to avoid reasonable escalation, including Lebanon. I have spoken to the Iranian foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, to the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Al Thani, the Egyptian foreign minister, the United Arab Emirates' foreign minister, the Saudi Arabian foreign minister and so on with a view to ensuring all focus is on preventing escalation.
I am aware of and have noted the statement made by UNIFIL head of mission and force commander, Major General Aroldo Lázaro, during his United Nations Day speech on October 24. Major General Lázaro confirmed that since the situation in the Middle East began to escalate, UNIFIL peacekeepers have remained in their positions and performing assigned tasks under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. Peacekeepers also continue to carry out patrols and other activities, including with local communities, co-ordinating this work with the Lebanese Armed Forces. While confirming that the UNIFIL mission was actively engaged with authorities on both sides of the Blue Line to de-escalate tensions and avoid misunderstandings, he expressed his real concern the conflict has intensified. I share his concerns. The situation in southern Lebanon is dynamic, with increased activity along the Blue Line. The situation in the UNIFIL area of operations is tense and remains unpredictable.
I assure the Deputy that Irish Defence Forces peacekeepers are well trained prior to deployment and prepared to anticipate events such as occasions of sporadic fire in their area of operations, which may require taking shelter in protected positions, as they have done on several occasions since the outbreak of hostilities. All Defence Forces personnel are maintaining a high level of vigilance and continue to monitor the developing situation in their respective mission areas. The safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces personnel is of paramount concern to the Government. I am in ongoing contact with the Chief of Staff and the Department of Defence and being kept apprised of all developments in those areas in which Defence Forces personnel are deployed. We will continue to monitor the situation closely along with our partners in the UN and the wider international community.
It is absolutely necessary that we do whatever can be done to ensure there is not a regional escalation. If we could have a ceasefire in Gaza, it would obviously facilitate this to a significant degree. We must be absolutely vigilant for changed sets of circumstances. I get the tension. I stress, as have many others, that we are talking about our Defence Forces. Our personnel are very highly trained and have a great level of professionalism and, at times, necessary courage. However, we need to ensure this vigilance is maintained and operating procedures and protocols are as best as they can be so we ensure we do not miss anything. In fairness, the mandate of the UNIFIL operation changed in August 2022. There was some unease with some of the players in Lebanon at that point. While there is talk of maintaining independence for UNIFIL operations, there is also, as a Tánaiste said, a huge amount of emphasis on dealing with all stakeholders on either side of the Blue Line. All of this is necessary.
Everything that can be done is being done with the military command. The Deputy and his party have advocated for the breaking off of diplomatic relations with Israel. In the context of Lebanon and the security of our Defence Forces personnel, we need to retain diplomatic relations with Israel. We need diplomatic channels open. All we have been doing for the past four weeks is maintaining those diplomatic channels and talking to all interested parties that could have influence on all those involved to reduce the potential for an intensification of hostilities and all-out war between Lebanon and Israel.
I have spoken to the Iranian foreign minister as well and appealed to him to use any influence the Iranian Government may have with Hezbollah and Hamas to avoid an escalation in Lebanon. I have acted likewise with the Israeli Government. Diplomatic channels must be kept open. I am at a loss as to why that point does not seem to be understood.
We also need the Israelis to stop their slaughter.
