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Defence Minister Alan Shatter today met with Fayez Ghosen, the Lebanese Minister for Defence on the first day of his official visit to the Middle East. This is the second time that the two Ministers met as Minister Shatter’s trip to the Middle East in March of this year provided the opportunity for their first meeting. At the outset Minister Shatter offered his condolences to the people of Lebanon for the loss of life suffered in the terrorist bomb attack in Beirut on the 19th of November.

The discussions focused on the appalling toll of the crisis in Syria in which 120,000 people have lost their lives and some 7 million people have been displaced. Minister Ghosen highlighted the enormous burden placed on the Lebanese Government and people by 815,000 Syrian refugees crossing the border into Lebanon. He stressed that particular problems had arisen in health, education and security and also highlighted the importance of support and financial assistance from the International community.

Speaking after the meeting, Minister Shatter said

It is clear that there will be a need for a continuing EU and UN engagement in the region and in Lebanon. In the context of the ongoing conflict in Syria and the refugee crisis in the region, it is of vital importance that the Syrian regime takes immediate steps to facilitate the expansion of humanitarian relief operations in Syria

To date the EU is the largest donor in the region with total aid contribution now reaching €1.9 billion. In the context of the ongoing crisis it is clear that continuing assistance and support will be required from the EU.

On the second day of his trip to the Middle East, Defence Minister Alan Shatter travelled to South Lebanon to the UNIFIL UN Post to attend a Transfer of Authority ceremony to mark the handover of Command of the joint Irish/Finnish Battalion to Finland. Finland assumed command of the new Finnish/Irish Battalion today on the 26th of November. The ceremony was also being attended Mr. Kari Kahiluoto Ambassador of Finland in the region, The Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Head of Mission Major General Paolo Serra of Italy and senior members of the Finnish and Irish Defence Forces.

Speaking following the ceremony, the Minister referred to his meetings yesterday with Minister Ghosn the Lebanese Defence Minister and representatives from UNHCR, UNWRA and the European Union External Action Service, at which the significant impact of the tragedy unfolding in Syria for the wider region and for Lebanon in particular was discussed.

Minister Shatter said:

The arrival of in excess of 800,000 people crossing the border from Syria into Lebanon, a country of only four million inhabitants before the crisis, has created major challenges for the Lebanese authorities and people, particularly in the areas of security and the provision of health and education services. In tandem with this, we can see increased instability in the region”. He went on to say that “it is in this context that the role of the UNIFIL mission is vital to maintaining peace and security, and providing support to the Lebanese Government and stability in the wider region

Following on from Finland taking over the lead role of the Finnish/Irish battalion there are 175 Irish troops in South Lebanon as part of the joint contingent. The Minister wished Lt Col Valta every success in his new role as contingent commander and said:

I anticipate that Ireland will continue to contribute to UNIFIL for the foreseeable future and will continue to play a key role in UN missions in maintaining peace in areas of potential conflict.