The last large contingent of Irish soldiers withdrew from South Lebanon early this morning after their 23-year peace-keeping mission came to a close.
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Minister of Defence, Mr Michael Smith and Lieut Gen Colm Mangan in Lebanon
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At 5.30 a.m. (Irish time) the troops left their base at Camp Shamrock following a brief ceremony, attended by the Minister for Defence, Mr Michael Smith.
Outgoing commander of the Irish Battalion Lieut Col Gerry Hegarty handed over responsibility for the Tibnin area to Lieut Col Sagbu of the Ghanaian battalion now stationed there.
Later this evening, 105 Irish troops will arrive in Dublin Airport. Just over 40 Irish soldiers will remain in Camp Shamrock, Tibnin, until November 30th to complete the handover operation.
Seventeen Irish died in the Lebanon in action, and 28 were killed in accidents. The remains of one soldier, Private Caoimghín Seoighe, who disappeared following an attack on his post in 1981, are still being sought.
A memorial at Tibnin has the names of the 46 Irish dead. This area of Lebanon has been peaceful for over a year following decades of conflict.