Irish troops to return to Lebanon - O'Dea

[Marx]

From RTE.ie:

• The Minister for Defence has confirmed that Irish troops are to return to Lebanon.
  
  Speaking at the PDFORRA conference in Waterford, Willie O'Dea said the Cabinet had approved proposals to dispatch about 150 soldiers who will be part of a unit with Finnish troops.
  
  The Irish will carry out reconnaissance, security and protection duties.
  
  Mr O'Dea told the rank and file members of the Defence Forces that Irish troops are returning to Lebanon in unfortunate circumstances.
  

[drjimryan]

Well good luck to them...as ever i'm sure their professionalism (which is so lacking in other 'state' positions) will do our country proud.

[The OD]

Well good luck to them...as ever i'm sure their professionalism (which is so lacking in other 'state' positions) will do our country proud.

Hear, hear. Their a constant source of pride to us, people can make as many jokes as they like about the Irish Army, the fact remains that many Lebanese will be delighted to see them return.

Fair play to the lads going over.

[Marx]

At least things seemed to have calmed in the region for the moment anyway

[32]

The Minister for Defence has confirmed that Irish troops are to return to Lebanon.

Speaking at the PDFORRA conference in Waterford, Willie O'Dea said the Cabinet had approved proposals to dispatch about 150 soldiers who will be part of a unit with Finnish troops.

The Irish will carry out reconnaissance, security and protection duties.

Mr O'Dea told the rank and file members of the Defence Forces that Irish troops are returning to Lebanon in unfortunate circumstances.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1004/defence.html

I assume you are refering to the 26 county army?

Irish 'troops' could mean the RIR.

[Munion]

I assume you are refering to the 26 county army?

Irish 'troops' could mean the RIR.

He's refering to Oglaigh na hEireann, the army of Ireland.

If you'd like more info you can check out www.military.ie

I'm sorry to say though 32 that blowing up innocent citizens and drug dealing is not allowed.

[Munion]

Best of luck to our troops. I've no doubt they'll do their usual magificent job.

I do think it's a great idea to join with Finnish & Swedish troops on a regular basis for these kinds of mission.

[Marx]

Best of luck to our troops. I've no doubt they'll do their usual magificent job.

I do think it's a great idea to join with Finnish & Swedish troops on a regular basis for these kinds of mission.

I agree it is what you might call active neutrality rather than just "sitting on the fence"

[badinage]

What exactly was the reason for pulling the battalion out again? IIRC didn't O'Dea announce that it had completed its mission and south Lebanon was now at peace?

[zuton]

how does the opposition stand on this? This could be quite a serious move. hizzbullah are a major player in the war on terror and their sponsor Iran and the US are almost certainly heading for a showdown.

if they are to expected do the IDF's fighting for it then it could be a messy and unwanted involvment. If they are not then why are they there?