The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) donated on Tuesday more than 100 vehicles and pieces of equipment to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), aimed at reinforcing state authority and enhancing stability in southern Lebanon.
At a ceremony held in Naqoura, UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara and Brigadier General Walid Abou Shaer, representing the LAF Commander, signed the handover documents formalizing the donation.
The package included 101 items such as SUVs, cargo trucks, ambulances, water tankers and baggage dollies.
Major General Abagnara described the transfer as evidence of UNIFIL’s “steadfast support” for its strategic partner, underlining that cooperation between the two forces is a cornerstone of security in the south.
“The collaboration between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces is one of the pillars of stability in southern Lebanon, and today’s event further strengthens our long-standing mutual commitment,” he said.
He added that the new resources would “significantly enhance LAF mobility, security and operational response.”
Brigadier General Abou Shaer welcomed the contribution, saying it would boost the army’s capabilities in line with its national security role.
“Continuous cooperation with UNIFIL has enabled the LAF to make significant strides in developing logistical support systems for its units – a critical component closely linked to operational readiness,” he noted.
The donation is part of the Strategic Dialogue process launched in 2010, which aligns with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Through this mechanism, UNIFIL mobilizes donor support to strengthen the LAF’s operational capacity in the mission’s area of operations.
Since 2013, UNIFIL has provided Lebanon’s security institutions with vehicles, generators, prefabricated buildings, sea containers and IT equipment, alongside bilateral aid from troop-contributing countries.
The mission is also planning a similar donation to the General Directorate of General Security in the upcoming week.
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