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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Cormac Byrne

President Michael D Higgins and Defence Minister Paul Kehoe evacuated from Beirut due to safety concerns

President Michael D Higgins and Defence Minister Paul Kehoe were evacuated from Beirut on Saturday afternoon after safety concerns due to protests in the Lebanese capital.

On Thursday night, the President and Defence Minister were trapped inside their hotel as protests against tax increases and alleged official corruption took place outside.

The pair were on their way back to Ireland as of Saturday night.

A Government spokesman said: "I can confirm reports that the President and Defence Minister went to Beruit airport by helicopter on Saturday.

"However, there is no emergency and the helicopter was provided by the Lebanese government."

While on a three-day official visit to Lebanon, the President and Defence Minister met with Irish troops serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon on Friday.

They were scheduled to attend a reception hosted by Ireland’s Ambassador to Lebanon on Saturday but it was cancelled along with a planned meeting with NGOs.

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