....Flag lowered as troops end 23-year mission

The tricolour was lowered in Lebanon yesterday marking the end of a 23-year United Nations peace-keeping mission by Irish troops in the region.

The Irish army handed over to troops from Ghana during yesterday morning’s ceremony at the camp in Tibnin.

More than 20,000 soldiers from Ireland have served in the region since 1978 with the loss of 46 Irish lives during that time – 17 soldiers in action while 28 were killed in accidents.

Speaking before his troops began their final departure yesterday, the army’s chief of staff Lieutenant General Colm Mangan said that Irish soldiers had made a great difference to the lives of the Lebanese residents.

The Republic’s defence minister watched as the tricolour was lowered and presented to Lieutenant General Mangan before being replaced by the Ghanaian flag.

Ghana will take over operation of the base at the end of the year.

The command of the battalion area was handed over to the commander, Lieutenant Colonel Sagbu by the outgoing battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Hegarty.

The Irish soldiers then left their base at Camp Shamrock and began their journey back to Ireland.

Just over 40 Irish soldiers are to remain at the Irish camp in Tibnin until November 30 to complete the handover operation.