Minister for Defence Wilie O'Dea begins a three-day visit to Lebanon today where he is due to meet Irish peacekeeping troops tomorrow.
The Minister is also scheduled to visit Beirut for talks with Lebanese Defence Minister Elias Murr.
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| Willie O'Dea |
The Dáil approved a motion to send 150 troops to the region in October as part of the United Nations interim force in Lebanon.
Irish peacekeeping units had previously served in the region but were withdrawn in 2001.
The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Jim Sreenan, will accompany the Minister on the official visit.
On Saturday, The Irish Timesreported that a rift had developed between the Minister and Lieut Gen Sreenan after the general had commented publicly about national and international defence policy.
The newspaper reported that Mr O'Dea had sent a letter to the chief of defence forces reminding him that only the Minister or his officials could comment on matters of policy.
