![]() ![]() UNIFIL prefers a peaceful life: it provides local training programmes in computer skills, languages, and agriculture last year, a South Korean battalion hosted free taekwondo classes. The supposed "interim" period of UNIFIL's deployment has lasted since Israel's withdrawal in 1978 and has claimed the lives of 325 Blue Helmets.Īlthough the mission is permitted to use force in self-defence and to protect civilians, it resorts more often to the telephone, calling either side to ask if they would kindly stop shooting. Around 10,500 peacekeepers supported by 41 countries patrol the 120km land division as well as 200km of coastline: the only naval peacekeeping force in the UN's history. Given the timing of the ruling – the de facto border is more violent than it's been since the war of 2006 – many believe Hezbollah used its influence over the court to send a message: don't send your troops to Lebanon.īlue lines don't come much thinner than the one separating Lebanon from Israel. Recently the court made the surprising decision to release Ayad on bail. Just one member of the militant group – Mohammad Ayad – was subsequently detained and charged with Pte Rooney's murder. ![]() Last December, while en route to Beirut Airport, his small convoy came under attack from Hezbollah gunmen. The 24-year-old from County Donegal was one of 333 troops serving with the 121st Infantry Battalion deployed as part of the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) that patrols the so-called Blue Line. WHEN Private Seán Rooney's body was returned to Ireland last year, his mother said he died "a national hero". BORDER CASUALTY: Private Seán Rooney was killed while serving the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |