asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he will advocate that the international military forces in Beirut be brought under the umbrella of the United Nations, having one overall command; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - International Military Forces in Beirut.
16.
I presume that the Deputy is referring to the Multinational Force (MNF) comprised of US, Italian, French and British troops, which is at present in Beirut at the request of the Lebanese Government. It is a matter for the Lebanese Government in the first instance to decide what forms of international assistance, if any, they require in helping to resolve the problems of that tragic country. To date I understand that the Lebanese Government have not requested that the MNF be brought directly under the umbrella of the United Nations.
Would the Minister agree that it might be advisable that all foreign forces in the Lebanon should come under the UN command?
I would prefer to see that, but all peacekeeping forces like that should be under the control of the UN. However, that view is not shared in this instance by the Lebanese Government who are the inviting country, the inviting government in this instance. In the first instance it is a matter for them whom they invite to join the multinational force. I would prefer to see the UN in there.
Would the Minister agree that it is not inherently satisfactory to have the UN role duplicated by a multinational peacekeeping force and that it takes away from the status of the UN force?
That is true, and, as I said, the UN should be the No. 1 body to which every country in the world would turn when it needs assistance, but that view is not shared in this instance by the Lebanese Government or by the Syrian Government. That is a pity. I would prefer to see them there, but the fact is that that view is not shared by those governments.