New commander of UNIFIL forces takes over in S. Lebanon

Italian Major General Diodato Abagnara officially assumed command of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Tuesday in a formal handover ceremony held at UNIFIL headquarters in the town of Naqoura in southwestern Lebanon.

The ceremony was attended by Lebanese defense minister, UNIFIL unit commanders, Lebanese army officers, and Lebanese civilian dignitaries.

In a speech on the occasion, Abagnara emphasized the importance of achieving lasting stability along the Blue Line, while acknowledging the real challenges ahead.

"UNIFIL was never destined to take an easy path. Our mission operates where complexity meets fragility. Security cannot be viewed through a narrow lens -- we must look beyond, build bridges of communication, and expand our strategic vision at the regional level," he said.

Abagnara pointed out that "UNIFIL's core mission is to protect civilians, monitor the cessation of hostilities, and contribute to the stabilization of southern Lebanon in line with Resolution 1701, while supporting the Lebanese Army."

Abagnara was appointed as the head of mission and force commander of UNIFIL earlier this month. He has over 36 years of military service, including leadership roles within the Italian Armed Forces. Most recently, he served as commander and chair of the Military Technical Committee for Lebanon, where he oversaw multinational coordination efforts in support of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

UNIFIL was established in 1978 following the first Israeli invasion of Lebanon to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and to assist the Lebanese government in reestablishing authority over the area. It currently deploys around 10,000 peacekeepers from about 50 countries.