AN ADVANCE TEAM of 90 personnel has this morning been deployed to the Lebanon ahead of the arrival of a significant body of Irish troops in the country next month.
The advance party departed Casement Aerodrome at Baldonnell at 7:40am this morning, and consists of logistics personnel including communications, weapons and ammunitions experts.
Their tasks will be to establish an Irish military headquarters in the southern Lebanese village of Tebnine ahead of the deployment of Irish troops there on June 23 and 27.
The full force, of 440 Irish Defence Forces personnel, will form part of the next United Nations interim force in the south of the country.
Among their missions will be patrolling the so-called ‘Blue Line’ marking Lebanon’s border with Israel.
A convoy of 36 armoured vehicles is currently travelling between the Curragh and Ringaskiddy in Cork City, from where they will be shipped to Lebanon.
AA Roadwatch has warned motorists to anticipate delays along the three-hour route, which includes the Jack Lynch Tunnel.
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