The Minister for Defence has inspected a parade of 200 Irish soldiers who will leave next month for service with the UN mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia. Michael Smith said that this African mission would open up a new chapter in Irish military history, following the end of service with UNIFIL in Lebanon on Tuesday.
Irish soldiers have served in Africa twice before in the Congo and Somalia.
Mr Smith said the new mission with UNMEE demonstrated clearly the importance of having a well-equipped, well-trained and well-motivated Army, which could make a significant contribution to peace and security in a troubled world.
