UN chooses an Italian for UNIFIL: General Abagnara new Commander

On June 5, 2025, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, appointed the Italian Army Major General Diodato Abagnara as the new commander of the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) mission. The general succeeds Spanish Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, taking on the responsibility of one of the world's most complex peace operations: maintaining stability along the fragile border between Lebanon and Israel.

The appointment comes amid strong regional tensions, with Israel and Hezbollah engaged in a dangerous escalation threatening the already precarious balance of the Middle East. The mandate of UNIFIL – established in 1978 and strengthened in 2006 after the Israeli-Lebanese conflict – consists of monitoring the ceasefire, supporting the Lebanese government in controlling the southern territory, and collaborating with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). The UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the legal reference for the mission, also includes countering illicit arms trafficking and supporting local institutions.

Italy has always played a significant role in UNIFIL, contributing significantly in terms of personnel, resources, and leadership. With Abagnara at the helm, our country reaffirms its concrete commitment to peace and stability in the region.

The profile of General Abagnara: operational experience and international vision

Born in 1970, originally from Pagani, in the province of Salerno, General Diodato Abagnara is a veteran of international operations and a well-known figure in peacekeeping contexts. After commanding the “Lancieri di Novara” Regiment during the “Leonte 5” operation in 2009, he held managerial positions in the Army, including head of the Officers Employment Office.

Between 2018 and 2019, he led the Bersaglieri Brigade “Garibaldi”, deployed in Lebanon, and took on the responsibility of the Western sector of UNIFIL, a key role for cooperation between the Italian contingent and local authorities. In July 2024, he took the lead of the Military Technical Committee for Lebanon (MTC4L), a multilateral initiative promoted by Italy with the involvement of the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Canada, aimed at strengthening the Lebanese army through training, logistics, and interoperability programs.

General Abagnara is also highly educated (ten academic degrees between bachelor's and master's), with specializations in law, cybersecurity, strategic sciences, and digital leadership, obtained from prestigious Italian universities such as Turin, Rome, Teramo, and the Luiss Business School. A polyglot (speaks Italian, English, French, and Spanish), he is a strong advocate of intercultural dialogue and inclusive leadership, having chaired the Joint Council for Gender Perspective in the Defense Staff.

His new role sees him as Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNIFIL, with responsibility for all military and civilian components of the operation. A role that requires strategic competence, political balance, and diplomatic sensitivity.

An appointment that strengthens Italy's international credibility

Abagnara's appointment was welcomed with satisfaction by Italian institutions. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto described the role as “of great responsibility in a crucial region,” praising the choice as “further recognition of Italy's important role in the international community.” Deputy Minister Matteo Perego di Cremnago also expressed his congratulations, highlighting the value of Italy's commitment “in favor of peace and stability, in a strategic area for global balance.”

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reiterated that the appointment is “a confirmation of Italy's credibility and its weight in contributing to Middle East security.” Pride was also expressed locally: the mayor of Avigliano, where the general has family roots, spoke of “a great source of pride for the entire community.”

In a world marked by increasingly interconnected conflicts, the appointment of an Italian general at the helm of UNIFIL is not only a reward for personal merit but a message of trust in Italy's operational, moral, and diplomatic capabilities. With Abagnara in command, UNIFIL strengthens its mediation efforts, while Italy confirms itself as a reliable partner for peace, in a strategic region for global security.