Caretaker Minister of National Defense, Maurice Sleem, on Thursday contacted by phone the UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Aroldo Lázaro, expressing his "deep regret for the painful incident that occurred with an Irish UNIFIL patrol in the Aaqbiyeh vicinity of south Lebanon last night.”

Sleem offered his heartfelt condolences on the death of an Irish peacekeeper, wishing "a speedy recovery for those injured." 

“The investigation that has been launched will clarify the circumstances that have led to this painful incident,” Sleem added.