I speak tonight on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Defence, who is at present visiting Irish troops in East Timor.
I thank Deputy Fitzgerald for raising this matter and for giving the Minister for Defence the opportunity to inform the House of the up to date position which has unfolded since last weekend, and the implications of those developments for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon – UNIFIL. The Minister for Defence has been in touch with the Deputy Force Commander of UNIFIL and with the battallion headquarters in Tibnin and I am glad to report that all Irish personnel serving with UNIFIL are safe and well. While the situation in South Lebanon is described as tense, it is not considered that Irish battallion personnel are at risk as a result of the recent turn of events. However, the situation will continue to be monitored in consultation with the United Nations headquarters in New York and with personnel on the ground.
The Israeli Government declared its intention to withdraw its forces from Lebanon not later than July 2000. United Nations Security Council Resolution 425 of 1978 requires Israel to end its presence in South Lebanon. UNIFIL was established to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces, to restore international peace and security and to assist the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area.
Members of the Defence Forces have been deployed for service with UNIFIL since 1978. On 4 April 2000 the Government approved the provision of a replacement contingent to UNIFIL, comprising approximately 620 personnel of all ranks for a six month period beginning 19 April 2000. The Government decision also allowed for preparations to be made for the selection, training and equipping of a further contingent of approximately 620 personnel of all ranks to provide for the possibility of Ireland's continued participation in the UNIFIL peace keeping force beyond July 2000. The UNIFIL mandate is reviewed by the UN Security Council every six months. In January last it was decided to extend the mandate until 31 July 2000.
The UN has been engaged in ongoing contingency planning for the post-withdrawal situation. The UN Secretary General's special envoy, Mr. Larsen, who recently visited the region reported to the UN Secretary General who, in turn, reported to the UN Security Council on 22 May 2000. The Security Council, which considered the matter again yesterday, inter alia welcomed the Secretary General's decision to send his special envoy to the region again, to ensure that the requirements put forward by the Secretary General to enable UNIFIL to discharge its mandate are met and that all parties concerned are committed to co-operating fully with the UN in the complete implementation of Security Council Resolution 425 of 1978.
In terms of UNIFIL troop strength, the Secretary General has indicated that the confirmation process may require an increase in strength of the force. The UN Department of Peace Making Operations, briefed UNIFIL troop contributing countries, including Ireland, in New York yesterday afternoon. It was confirmed that leaders at the highest level on both sides had offered assurances regarding co-operation with the UN and that the players on the ground were acting generally in a responsible manner. Actual and potential troop contributers were urged to accelerate their consideration of the request made by the United Nations headquarters for extra troops for UNIFIL but no commitments were asked, expected or given. The UN Secretary General's special envoy is returning to the region today, arriving in Beirut this evening.
The situation on the ground in South Lebanon as reported by the military authorities is as follows. In the days leading up to last weekend the Israeli defence forces withdrew from some positions in South Lebanon and handed them over to the surrogate South Lebanese Army (SLA)/ de facto forces (DFF). This appears to have signalled to the Lebanese people who once lived there and to the resistance armed elements, the Hizbollah and AMAL, that an opportunity was being presented to reclaim these areas. This resulted in an influx of people into the towns and villages of the Israel controlled area of South Lebanon which began last Sunday. Many SLA/DFF personnel surrendered or fled. This ignited the total collapse of the SLA/DFF and appears to have left the Israelis with no option but to withdraw from all positions in the area which they formerly controlled with the exception of a number of permanent violations along the border which they still occupy. The expectation is that Israel will withdraw to the international border but it is unclear at this stage as to when this process will be completed.
The collapse of the SLA/DFF and the withdrawal of the Israelis, was, fortunately, marked by a low level of violence. It is estimated that between five to ten civilians were killed and up to 30 injured. There has been good co-operation between the IDF and UNIFIL. The Lebanese Army has not deployed southwards yet but the Lebanese Government has indicated a willingness to deploy its security forces into the vacated areas, and there is some evidence that this is happening. Members of Hizbollah/AMAL can be seen patrolling within two kilometres of the Israeli border. UNIFIL, including armoured patrols from Irish battalions, has been patrolling in the former Israeli controlled area today. Irish battalion patrols have been welcomed in all the towns and villages they have visited and the mood of the people is described as up-beat.
An Irish battalion patrol visited the hospital in Bint Jubayl, one of the largest towns in this region, yesterday. It found that it had been abandoned by its doctors and that most medical supplies had been taken. The senior Irish medical officer has since been to the hospital and is arranging the procurement of essential supplies.
While Ireland remains committed to UNIFIL and is anxious to see its mandate discharged it goes without saying that the safety of Irish troops is of paramount concern to the House, the Government, to the Opposition and to the people and this will be a critical factor in our approach to the emerging situation. In common with other troop contributors, Ireland would regard it as essential that there are adequate security assurances before considering deploying any additional Defence Forces with UNIFIL. I expect that my colleague, the Minister for Defence, will fully brief the Government on this matter next week and I assure the House that any actions which can be taken to ensure the maximum safety of Irish personnel will be put in place as necessary. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter tonight.