The Convoy Of Irish UN Forces Vehicles Accompanied By Armed Groups In Lebanon, One Army Died

Illustration of UN troops from Ireland. (Wikimedia Commons/Irish Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - An Irish soldier was shot dead during a UN peacekeeper mission in Lebanon, while another soldier was in critical condition after armed groups surrounded their armored vehicles, Irish Defense Secretary Simon Coveney said on Thursday.

The soldiers, part of UNIFIL's troops, were in what Coveney said was traveling to Beirut, when the incident occurred in Al-Aqbieh on Wednesday night.

"The two armored vehicles are effectively separated. One of them is surrounded by hostile masses, I think that's the only way you can describe them, and shots are fired. Unfortunately, one of our peacekeepers was killed," Coveney told national broadcaster Irland RTE, as reported by Reuters December 15.

"This is not expected. There has indeed been tensions on the ground between Hezbollah forces and UNIFIL in recent months, but not like this," he continued.

Hezbollah is a powerful armed group and political party with significant support in the south of the country.

Meanwhile, the chief of staff of the Irish defense force Se wayur Clancy said the convoy was carrying eight personnel. The second soldier is still in critical condition at the UN-run hospital after undergoing surgery.

Two other soldiers in the vehicle were treated for minor injuries, while four personnel from another vehicle were not injured.

Coveney said the Irish peacekeeper had been in Lebanon since 1978 and it was the first death of the Irish army there in two decades.

Hezbollah on Thursday offered his condolences and told Reuters they were not involved.

Senior official Hezbollah Wafiq Safa said the soldier's death came after an "unintentional incident between residents of Al-Aqbieh and individuals from the Irish unit", urging his party not to be linked to the incident.

UNIFIL said it was coordinating with the Lebanese army and had launched an investigation, but details were blurred and conflicting with each other.

"We are all very shocked and very sad, this reminds us of the extraordinary sacrifices our peacekeepers have made constantly," said Irish Prime Minister Miche Merul Martin.

Meanwhile, UN special coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka said on Twitter: "A quick & thorough investigation to determine the facts of this tragic incident is very important."

Separately, Lebanese interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged all parties to "show wisdom and patience". The Lebanese army offered its condolences but did not provide additional details.

UNIFIL has been operating in Lebanon since 1978 to maintain peace along its border with Israel in the south. That was expanded after UN resolutions halted the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war in southern Lebanon.