The Latest Breaking News from UNIFIL

A convoy of armored vehicles carrying French peacekeepers barrels through southern Lebanon. Last year’s war between Israeli forces and Hezbollah left villages scarred and empty. Rubble lines the roads. Torn Lebanese flags and Hezbollah banners flutter from shattered buildings.

France and its European partners are resisting Washington’s push to end the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon – UNIFIL – arguing its presence remains essential for stability along Israel’s northern border.

Irish premier Micheal Martin said the firing of rounds in the vicinity of UNIFIL positions in Lebanon is ‘completely unacceptable’.

UN peacekeepers says incident first of its kind since Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire last November.

Camp Shamrock is nestled among the hills of southern Lebanon.

Lieutenant-Colonel Shane Rockett, commander of the 125 Infantry Battalion at Camp Shamrock, said the situation is the worst he had seen.

Ireland’s deputy premier raised the case of Private Sean Rooney in a meeting with ministers ahead of a visit to troops currently serving in Lebanon.

Simon Harris is visiting Lebanon this week against a backdrop of heightened tensions with Israel.

The World Bank says the cost of reconstruction and recovery for Lebanon following the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war is estimated at $11 billion