Irish troops patrolled about one kilometre inside the former Israeli security zone of southern Lebanon for the first time yesterday since joining the UN peace-keeping force here 22 years ago.
The UN troops were carrying out reconnaissance in preparation for possible deployment towards the Israeli border during the transition period before the area comes under the control of the lawfully constituted Lebanese authorities.
Yesterday the United Nations began reacting to the rapidly changing situation. The Security Council endorsed a UN plan to verify Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon and to help to re-establish the Lebanese government's authority over the area.
The council also called on the states and other parties concerned to exercise utmost restraint and to co-operate with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
A statement read at a brief formal meeting welcomed the stated intention of the Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, to take all necessary measures to enable UNIFIL to confirm that a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon has taken place.
UNIFIL is to be increased in size from 4,513 to about 5,600 to verify the Israeli pull-out.
The Government has directed the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lt Gen Dave Stapleton, to increase the Irish Battalion strength from about 550 to 600 during the transitional period.
Yesterday the Minister for Defence, Mr Michael Smith, speaking from East Timor, said all the personnel in south Lebanon were "safe and well". He spoke yesterday by satellite telephone to Brig Gen Jim Sreenan, who is acting UNIFIL Force Commander.
Cmdt Joe McDonagh, military liaison officer with the Irish Battalion, yesterday said the Irish area was, in military terms, "calm".