THE deployment of 30 Irish peacekeeping troops to Syria has been postponed for three weeks. Administrative hold-ups at the country’s borders have delayed the advanced party, who were due to fly out to Beirut and travel up to the Golan Heights later this week. The United Nations ordered the soldiers to stay on Irish soil until manifest sheets for border control had been completed. The rest of the 115-strong contingent of the Defence Forces will remain on stand-by until their deployment to the heavily militarised Syrian border a week later. Border One senior officer said hold-ups were not unexpected crossing the border, adding that Ireland’s reconnaissance team which travelled out last month was also delayed. “Everything crossing the border needs to be checked by the Syrians, Lebanese and the UN and there has been a delay,” he said. “The troops will have a few extra days at home rather than waiting somewhere in Beirut.” The Irish peacekeepers’ role will be observational and they will have no involvement in the civil war. Respect.
Posted on: Sun, 18 May 2014 08:47:00 +0000
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