A wreath has been laid at a monument in Tibnine in honour of the 47 Irish men who died while serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

The ceremony took place on the 40th anniversary of Ireland’s first deployment to Lebanon.

Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe, who is visiting Irish troops in Lebanon, took part in the wreath-laying ceremony.

Speaking at the event, he said "the spirit of many Irish soldiers will remain in South Lebanon and the memorial will be a focal point, lest anyone forget the contribution they made."

Minister Kehoe noted that "In serving so selflessly Irish peacekeepers have helped save the lives of countless numbers of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people around the world.

"Tragically, in saving those lives, too many of our finest people, like those remembered here today, have lost their own."