Taoiseach Micheál Martin Completes Visit to Lebanon, Meets Officials and Irish Peacekeepers
Taoiseach Micheál Martin concluded an official visit to Beirut, Lebanon today, where he met with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Irish troops serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
During the visit, Mr Martin underscored Ireland’s longstanding commitment to peacekeeping and the deep bilateral relationship between Ireland and Lebanon. He inspected Ireland’s UNIFIL contingent based at Camp Shamrock in southern Lebanon, where he praised the professionalism, dedication and sacrifice of Irish Defence Forces personnel serving abroad — especially as they spend the Christmas period away from their families.
gov.ie
The Taoiseach used his meeting with Prime Minister Salam to press for accountability over the 2022 killing of Irish peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney, condemning what he described as extremely lenient sentences handed down in the case and stressing Ireland’s determination to see proper justice served.
Donegal Daily
Mr Martin also reaffirmed Ireland’s support for the UNIFIL mission as it continues its peacekeeping duties, noting both the challenges on the ground and the importance of international efforts toward long-term stability in the region.
gov.ie
The visit comes amid regional developments, including ongoing efforts to stabilise southern Lebanon and discussions around the future of the UNIFIL mandate, which is scheduled to wind down by the end of 2026.
The Irish Times
Aaron Joyce, Newswire, L.T.T Media; Newsdesk; 20 December 2025
