The Irish Government has raised the issue of the detention of an archbishop by Lebanese authorities while he was returning from Israel following a routine visit to his diocese.

Archbishop Moussa El-Hage of Haifa and the Holy Land was detained last month while bringing $460,000 (€451,000) in aid from the Lebanese diaspora in Israel to family members in Lebanon.

He was arrested on the orders of a military court before being interrogated for 12 hours. After being released at midnight, he was stripped of his passport, mobile phone, the money and medicine.

Following a query from Carol Nolan TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said on the issue: “Religious leaders, such as Archbishop El-Hage, play an important role in Lebanon where the political system relies on tolerance, inclusivity and religious freedom. Officials from my department have raised the issue with the Lebanese authorities.”

Mr Coveney went on to say the general situation is “extremely worrying”.