Major General Diodato Abagnara of Italy assumes UNIFIL command
Major General Diodato Abagnara of Italy assumed Tuesday command of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), taking over from Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro of Spain, during a special ceremony held at the Mission’s headquarters in Naqoura, south Lebanon.
In his address, Abagnara stressed the importance of achieving a lasting stability along the Blue Line while recognizing "real challenges" ahead.
"But we are not alone," he said. "We move forward alongside the people that work every day for peace, with our trusted partners, and supported by the United Nations family and the international community."
Abagnara previously served as UNIFIL’s Sector West Commander from 2018 to 2019. Most recently, he held the position of Commander and Chair of the Military Technical Committee for Lebanon (MTC4L), where he coordinated multinational support to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). A full biography is available here.
Looking ahead, he noted that UNIFIL stands at a "pivotal moment."
"We are engaged in a forward-looking adaptation process, a transformation that strengthens our ability to fulfill our tasks more effectively, efficiently, and credibly," he said. "Let this new chapter begin with clear vision, renewed energy, and an unwavering sense of purpose."
Lázaro’s tenure, which began on 28 February 2022, was marked by one of the most challenging periods in UNIFIL’s 47-year history.
"With current regional tensions ongoing, our efforts are focused on containing escalation, reinforcing stability, and creating conditions for a durable political solution (along the Blue Line)," said the outgoing UNIFIL head. "Continued international unity and support are indispensable as we work to consolidate gains and ensure peacekeeping remains grounded in political will."
Tuesday’s ceremony was attended by senior representatives of the Government of Lebanon, including Minister of National Defense Michel Menassa, Maj. Gen. Hassan Audi of the Lebanese Army, Member of Parliament Dr. Ashraf Baidoun as well as religious leaders, governors, qaemaqams and mayors.
High-level delegations from Italy and Spain were also in attendance, led respectively by Italy’s Chief of Defense Staff and former UNIFIL Head, General Luciano Portolano, and the Joint Operations Commander of the Spanish Army, Lieutenant General Antonio Agüero Martínez.
Source: Naharnet
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