Ahern to inspect Irish Kosovo force

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern will today inspect the latest deployment of Irish troops to the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.

Some 223 soldiers, drawn mainly from the 2nd Eastern Brigade, are preparing for overseas service in the recently declared independent republic.

They will join the Nato-led international peacekeeping Kosovo Force (Kfor) in protecting 81 villages within the Irish area of operations.

Mr Ahern and Lieut Gen Dermot Earley, Defence Forces Chief of Staff, will review the 38th Infantry Group in Dundalk.

Irish troops have completed more than 3,000 tours of duty in the former Serbian province since the Defence Forces began participating with Kfor in 1999.

Part of the latest deployment will join a 1,500-strong multinational task force with Finnish, Swedish, Czech, Slovak and Latvian troops. The force has been commanded by Irish Brig Gen Gerry Hegarty since last August.

PA

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