Irish troops are serving with the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon but is this role changing?
International diplomacy has failed to secure a peaceful solution to the conflict in Lebanon. Irish soldiers, serving with the UNIFIL force, are trying to keep the peace. The situation in the region is deteriorating. Christian militia forces under Major Saad Haddad have increased pressure on the United Nations to push them back in an attempt to leave this part of South Lebanon under the control of Israel.
The frustrations and dangers involved in this task are necessary to prevent confrontation between two implacable enemies, the Israelis and the Palestinians.
There has been a serious escalation in violence over the past few days with tank and heavy armour clashes. The situation is raising concerns about the role of the peacekeepers and the restrictions placed on what they can do.
Today, UN regulations set out clearly the terms and limitations of the kind of fire power a peace keeping force can use.
The role of UNIFIL is to observe what is going on and patrol the region. The Christian militia escalation over the last few weeks has changed this role. Militia artillery, heavy machine guns and tanks have now been moved into commanding positions and have begun shelling Irish positions in an attempt to push UNIFIL troops back. The militia were accustomed to the peacekeepers not responding, so they were shocked when they retaliated with fire.
This episode of 'World Week' was broadcast on 17 April 1980. The reporter is Brian Black.
