President Joseph Aoun met on Monday with the new head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), General Diodato Abagnara, during a courtesy visit marking the start of the general’s mandate.
During the meeting, President Aoun underscored the importance of UNIFIL’s continued cooperation with the Lebanese Army in southern Lebanon, stressing the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
He also reiterated the need for Israeli forces to withdraw from five strategic hilltops, in order to allow the Lebanese Army to complete its deployment along the internationally recognized borders.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssef Rajji also received General Abagnara and reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to UNIFIL’s mission and to the renewal of its mandate.
General Abagnara took command of UNIFIL on June 24, succeeding Spanish Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz as the chief of approximately 10,000 soldiers from 47 countries.
His military career spans more than 36 years. Before assuming this post, Abagnara served as chairman of the Military Technical Committee for Lebanon (MTC4L).
Comments