Helen McEntee TD

I received Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, @HMcEntee, and thanked her for Ireland’s contribution to UNIFIL and the sacrifices made by its soldiers. I informed her that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to follow up on the case of the Irish soldier who lost his life in an attack, with a view to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. We agreed on the need to maintain an international presence in southern Lebanon, and I raised the question of the role the European Union could play in this regard, given Ireland’s current presidency of the EU. I expressed our concerns over the risk of Lebanon being drawn into another war by Hezbollah at Iran’s behest. I also reiterated the need for Israel to withdraw and cease its attacks, and referred to the government’s decisions to establish exclusive state control over weapons and prohibit Hezbollah’s military and security activities. I stressed the crucial role of the Lebanese Armed Forces and the importance of supporting them in fulfilling their mission.