Irish volunteers help Lebanon's reconstruction
Lebanon-Ireland, Politics, 3/6/2007

Irish volunteers were reported Monday to be joining up to help rebuild Lebanon following last year's month-long Israeli invasion that devastated the country.

According to the Irish Independent newspaper, former peacekeepers are planning to join construction workers to help families in the war-torn south.

As part of the initiative, dubbed the Irish Leb Project, teams from Ireland will travel to Lebanon in the summer to help repair hospitals, schools, creches and key facilities which were destroyed during the Israeli invasion.

The project was said to be the brainchild of former Irish soldier, Michael MacDiarmada, who was appalled at the destruction last year in a country that was still recovering from two decades of warfare.

Thousands of Irish soldiers already have a special connection with south Lebanon, contributing to UN missions for more than 20 years, including the current deployment.

"MacDiarmada and other Irish soldiers who served as peacekeepers in Lebanon hope their project can expand beyond simple reconstruction, to eventually provide medical supports and even schoolteachers," the Irish Independent said.

On April 4, a liaison team is due to fly to Lebanon to negotiate a series of works to be undertaken in July and August. The team will also coordinate transport and accommodation for Irish volunteer workers, in July and August.

Previous Stories:
  Israel massacre 'despicable,' says Irish FM   (8/1/2006)
  Failure to call for Lebanon ceasefire illogical: Irish FM   (7/29/2006)

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