A contingent of Irish soldiers left Dublin this morning for peacekeeping duties in Lebanon.
They are joining the UNIFIL mission which has been expanded since the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah during the summer.
Over 120 members of the Defence Forces are departing for Beirut after an advance party of 31 left last week. Most of the troops are from the Cork/Limerick area.
700 Irish peacekeepers at a time served in Lebanon for over two decades up to five years ago, and 47 lost their lives.
Now the Irish are returning in significant numbers after the conflict during the summer in which over 1,000 Lebanese civilians were killed.
The UNIFIL strength has been expanded from 2,000 to 7,000.
The 150 Irish troops will form a unit with Finnish soldiers who are involved in reconstruction work. The Irish will be involved in reconnaissance, security and protection duties.
They will be based in an area known as Ibil as Saqy, a three-hour drive from Beirut.
The current threat to UNIFIL forces is described as 'low, within a volatile situation'.
The troops were to be seen off today at Dublin Airport by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Pat Nash.
There are 320 Irish peacekeepers serving in Liberia, and 200 in Kosovo.
