Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Peace keeping is the most noble act of all. We pay tribute to the courage and commitment of our Defence Forces personnel in Lebanon and in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, in Syria. Their mission is to protect the civilian population in the area. We have been doing this for decades now, generally within Lebanon. In recent years the situation has become more challenging, particularly now in the context of the heightened tensions in the region. There has been a ratcheting up of exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah, although not yet at a level of all-out hostilities. During my visit last week I discussed that with our Egyptian counterpart and with the Arab League regarding the situation in Lebanon. The Arab League led by the Secretary General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, represents a number of Arab countries. Their assessment is that the likelihood of all-out hostilities has not yet been reached, but accidents can happen when explosions are going back and forth and that is a big concern.

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