Egypt condemns attack on UN convoy in Lebanon that killed Irish soldier

CAIRO - 16 December 2022: Egypt condemned on Thursday a deadly attack on a UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which killed an Irish soldier and injured three others on the previous day in the coastal village of Al-Aqbieh in South Lebanon.

“Egypt extends its sincere condolences to the UNIFIL envoy, the government and people of friendly Ireland, and the victim’s family,” the Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also wished the injured a speedy recovery.

“Egypt has stressed the need to respect and ensure the security of the UN peacekeeping elements in light of their pivotal role in promoting peace and stability in accordance with the tasks assigned to them by the Security Council,’ the ministry added.

Irish peacekeeper Seán Rooney was killed after his convoy was attacked by “armed locals angry at the UN presence in their village,” Irish reports said, citing preliminary assessments by the UN.