Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern is to travel to the Middle East today as part of a four-day tour of the region.
He is due to hold talks on the peace process in the region with the Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian and Lebanese governments.
Dermot Ahern: cancelled visit to Gaza
Security fears have forced the Minister to cancel the Gaza leg of his visit. Mr Ahern had planned to meet Palestinian political leaders in the Strip but may now visit Ramallah in the West Bank instead.
He will also visit Irish troops serving with the United Nations in the south of the Lebanon.
In Egypt, Mr Ahern will meet the Minister for Trade and Industry to discuss bilateral economic relations between Ireland and Egypt.
Mr Ahern's provisional itinerary also includes a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
