LEBANON: IRISH SOLDIERS FROM THE PEACE KEEPING FORCE PRESENTED WITH MEDALS MARKING 90 DAYS OF SERVICE.

Record ID: 350290

  • Title: LEBANON: IRISH SOLDIERS FROM THE PEACE KEEPING FORCE PRESENTED WITH MEDALS MARKING 90 DAYS OF SERVICE.
  • Date: 7th September 1979
  • Summary: 1. GV: Irish UN troops manning border at Beit yahoud searching lorry, and lorry leaving. (2 shots) 0.14 2. GV: Car is stopped at border and boot is searched (3 shots) 0.27 3. CU: Irish soldier speaking to guard. 0.34 4. CU ZOOM BACK FROM: Lebanese flag flying on border TO Irish troops boarding UN armoured vehicle 0.40 5. LV ZOOM OUT FROM:
  • Embargoed: 22nd September 1979 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BEIT YAHOUD, LEBANON
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Reuters ID: LVAEGC0Y4IXNBJ3A4WE388NQYY5Y
  • Story Text: Israeli backed Militiamen and Lebanese leftist forces have shattered the fragile ceasefire in southern Lebanon. On Thursday night (6 September) there were repeated clashes with tanks, artillery and machinegun fire. United Nations positions came under heavy attack, but there were no casualties among the peacekeeping force. It was the first major outbreak of fighting since a U.N. ceasefire halted the last round of heavy artillery duels in late August.

    SYNOPSIS: The breaking of the truce came amid a warning from the UN Commander, General Emanuel Erskine that the three-thousand strong peace keeping force would cease to function unless the situation improved. It also came as the force's Irish contingent commemorated their 90th day of service in southern Lebanon. Numbering six-hundred-and-twenty, they're member's of Ireland's 45th regiment.

    They have a tough assignment. The Irish sector of responsibility includes Beit Yahoud which has been under heavy pressure from the Christian Militia. In two places where UN checkpoints have been established the militiamen have set up their own posts just fifty yards (45 metres) away.

    In southern Lebanon, where ten peace keeping soldiers died in just over a week last month, ninety days of continuous UN service means a medal. General Erskine was there to present them,
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register