Greens demand Statement from Minister for Defence on Lebanon Deployment
Statement by John Gormley TD Green Party Chairman and defence spokesperson.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence have still not clarified Ireland’s position in relation to the deployment of Irish troops into Lebanon. In particular, they have made no statement about to the rules of engagement for an international force operating in Southern Lebanon. While Ireland will be attending today’s UN conference on this issue, we have as yet had no clarity from either minister despite repeated calls from this party.
Does our government believe that such a force should be involved in the disarming of Hezbollah?
The French Foreign Minister has already stated that the international force would not confront Hezbollah on the issue of arms, a sensible move under the circumstances. Yet the Irish government continues to sit on the fence dodging the central question on the rules of engagement for an international force. Again, I call on the Minister for Defence to make a formal statement on this matter.
The Green Party has made its position clear; we are happy to send a peacekeeping force to the region if it is clear the international force will not be involved in the disarming of Hezbollah. In our view, such actions would inevitably lead to violent confrontation, a widening of the conflict and a perception that the international force was siding with the Israelis. We also believe that a lasting peace in the region can only come about if all of the parties, including Syria and Iran, sit down to negotiate a final settlement which involves the future of the Golan heights and the West Bank.
Click here to listen to John Gormley’s podcast on this issue.