Ahern to meet kidnapped soldiers' families in Middle East
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern is to meet distraught families of missing Israeli soldiers during a four-day visit to the Middle East this week.
Mr Ahern is holding high-level talks on the peace process in the region with senior political leaders in Israel, Lebanon, Gaza and Egypt.
The minister will take time out of his schedule to meet parents of Israeli soldiers still believed to be held captive in Lebanon since last summer’s month-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Last Friday, Ireland pledged €2m in humanitarian aid to help rebuild public infrastructure in Lebanon.
Mr Ahern will also be the first Irish Government minister to meet the new contingent of 150 Irish Unifil troops who arrived in south Lebanon in the Autumn.
The Gaza leg of Mr Ahern’s visit remains under review this weekend after an escalation in violence in the region.
A spokesman said: “We are currently taking advice on the security situation on the ground in Gaza. As of now the minister still hopes to travel to Gaza where he has lined up a series of important meetings regarding the Middle East peace process.
However, ultimately he will take the advice of those on the ground.
“Other legs of his Middle East visit will be going ahead, including a visit to Cairo and Beirut as well as high level talks with his Israeli counterpart.”
