The deployment of 50 Irish Army Rangers on an EU peacekeeping mission to Chad has been delayed due to the movement of rebel troops close to the capital, the Defence Forces said tonight.
The personnel were to depart for Chad and the Central African Republic tonight.
The 54 troops are part of an advance party carrying out reconnaissance, ahead of a full deployment in early March of 400 Irish troops.
They were to leave by passenger aircraft and due to arrive in Chad's capital city N'Djamena by 4am tomorrow morning. Another flight of 90 tonnes of cargo, including vehicles, weapons, ammunition, food, water, communications and life support equipment was to depart simultaneously.
The forces were to be stationed at Abeche in Chad as part of the UN-mandated, EUFOR Chad/CAR mission.
In a statement, the Defence Forces said the deployment had been delayed as of 6.30pm.
"Troops for the Initial Entry Force will not deploy tonight as planned. The EUFOR Chad/CAR Operational HQ in Paris has delayed the deployment of all further EU forces, as the airport has been closed due to movement of rebel troops close to the capital, N'Djamena."
Currently, the Irish Army has eight personnel in Chad, three as part of EUFOR Chad/CAR Force HQ and an advance party of five members of the Army Ranger Wing.
"They are safe and keeping Defence Forces HQ and the mission's Operational HQ in Paris updated," the Defence Forces said.
"At present there is no threat to the security of these personnel and they are in regular contact. This situation will continue to be monitored closely."
The Army said that whatever action necessary would be taken to ensure the safety of personnel.
"The current tensions are a matter for the Chadian authorities. It does not fall within the remit of the UN mandated mission which is focused on the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons in eastern Chad.£