Poland has confirmed its "full support" for the continuation of the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, where it provides a mechanised Infantry Company to cooperate with Irish blue helmets.
The mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is due to come up for renewal at the UN headquarters in New York next month, and the Irish Government was told yesterday that it will be "challenging and complex" to secure backing for another 12 months.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris gave that assessment to ministers due to what is termed as "particular challenges", which is thought to be a reference to Israel's strong criticism of the UN force and the possibility that its ally, the United States, could withdraw financial backing.
In a statement, Poland said it backed the extension of the UNIFIL mission "... the main goal of which is to ensure stabilisation and lasting peace in southern Lebanon, as well as in the Middle East, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council".
It added: "Poland remains ready to continue to actively contribute to the implementation of the mission's mandate, appreciating the professional and effective cooperation with Ireland within the IRISHPOLBATT battalion."
It is expected the Tánaiste will liaise with the US, France and the UK, with a view to ensuring that UNIFIL remains in situ - including the ongoing participation of more than 340 members of the Irish Defence Forces.
It is expected the Lebanese government will strongly support the renewal of the mandate.
Israel is said to be lobbying at the UN headquarters for a downgrade of the role of UNIFIL.
The Trump administration is viewed as being sympathetic to that argument, but it is currently unclear what position it will adopt in August.
Ireland has participated in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon since 1978, and it is currently the country's largest overseas deployment.
The Defence Forces say that a total of 47 personnel lost their lives during this mission, in which over 32,000 individual tours of duty have been completed.
