(Adnkronos) – Italy has resumed command of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon after general Diodato Abagnara took over from Aroldo Lazaro of Spain in a special ceremony at UNIFIL headquarters in Naquora on Tuesday.
At the handover ceremony Abagnara stressed the importance of achieving a lasting stability along the Blue Line (a UN-mapped demarcation separating Lebanon from Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights), while recognizing the real challenges ahead.
UNIFIL stands at a “pivotal moment”, Abagnara said.
“We are engaged in a forward-looking adaptation process, a transformation that strengthens our ability to fulfil 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.”
Lazaro succeeded Italian general Stefano Del Col as UNIFIL chief and his tenure, which began on 28 February 2022, was marked by one of the most challenging periods in the peacekeeping mission’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 Lazaro.
“Continued international unity and support are indispensable as we work to consolidate gains and ensure peacekeeping remains grounded in political will,” Lazaro underlined.
Abagnara previously served as UNIFIL’s Sector West Commander from 2018 to 2019. Most recently, Abagnara 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), according to a UNIFIL statement.
Italian
@DiodatoAbagnara
of Italy today assumed command of UNIFIL, taking over from Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro of Spain.
