Kenny arrives in Lebanon to visit Irish peacekeeping troops

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has arrived in South Lebanon for his visit to Irish peacekeeping troops serving as part of a UN mission.

Mr Kenny, accompanied by Defences Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Conor O'Boyle, was greeted on arrival by Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Campion.

The Taoiseach, who is also Minister for Defence, addressed the Irish troops at the joint Finnish-Irish battalion headquarters, and was also briefed on operations in the country.

Mr Kenny also laid a wreath at the Irish UN peacekeeping memorial in Tibnin for the 47 Irish personnel who have died while serving in the Lebanon.

His visit to Lebanon is the first by a Taoiseach since Bertie Ahern in 1999.

Addressing Irish troops in the batallion headquarters canteen, Mr Kenny thanked the soldiers on behalf of the country, as well as their families.

“On behalf of the people of our country and your families I came out here today to pay respect to you for what you do and the challenges and the sensitivities you must put up with in this region here in south Lebanon,” Mr Kenny said. “We have great faith in your in your ability to understand these things and do you job as professional soldiers as professional members of the defence forces of our country as part of the UNIFIL operation.

“I want you to know that and understand that. We are very proud of what you do.”

The Taoiseach was presented with Mayo GAA jersey by Trooper Rick O’Shea, which Mr Kenny signed and which will be framed and mounted on the canteen wall.

Lt Colonel Kevin Campion also presented Mr Kenny with a plaque of an inscribed plaque of the Cedar Tree, the national emblem of the Lebanon.

Mr Kenny also met Lebanese prime minister Tammam Salam, and pledged an additional €2 million in emergency funding to assist Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.