During the visit, the Tánaiste will also meet with United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, as well as the Lebanese Minister for Defence, Mr Maurice Sleem, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs & Emigrants, Dr Abdullah Bou Habib.
The Tánaiste will visit the troops at Camp Shamrock, before visiting a memorial at Tibnine for Irish people who have died while serving in UNIFIL.
Speaking ahead of the visit, the Tánaiste said that “it will be an opportunity for me to convey my sympathies and those of the government to the colleagues of Private Seán Rooney on their loss and to express our heartfelt appreciation as they continue to fulfil their duties with the professionalism and dedication that one associates with the Defence Forces.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin travels to Lebanon today to meet colleagues of slain peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney https://t.co/vDh3vwqHtt
— Independent.ie (@Independent_ie) January 25, 2023
Recalling his previous visit to Camp Shamrock as Taoiseach in 2022, the Tánaiste said that “it is always an honour and privilege to be able to visit Irish troops serving overseas. The outpouring of sympathy and support for Private Rooney and his injured colleagues in Óglaigh na hÉireann is a true expression of the regard in which the Defence Forces are held and a reflection of the pride of the Irish people in what they do.”