Saudi Arabia condemns Irish peacekeeper’s death in Lebanon

The Irish and UN flags are flown half-mast at the UNIFIL’s headquarters in the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura on Dec. 16 2022. (AFP)

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday strongly condemned an attack on the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, which killed an Irish soldier this week, and called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the circumstances of the attack.
The convoy of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) came under fire near the village of Al-Aqbiya late Wednesday, also wounding three other peacekeepers, the Irish military said.
“The Foreign Ministry expressed the Kingdom’s total rejection of all forms of violence, affirming the Kingdom’s support for the UNIFIL mission, as well as extending its sincere condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Ireland,” it said in a statement.
It also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The attack claimed the life of Private Sean Rooney, and the three passengers were wounded when the vehicle hit a pylon and overturned.
UNIFIL urged Beirut on Friday to ensure a “speedy” investigation into the fatal shooting.
(With AFP)