<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>Spain handed over command of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to Italy on Wednesday, a position it had held since February 2022.</strong></h4> According to the Ministry of Defense, Spanish Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro has handed over the reins to Italian General Diodato Abagnara, who will be responsible for directing and supervising the work of more than 10,000 military personnel from 49 countries under the UN mandate. At the handover ceremony, which took place in Naqura, General Lázaro reviewed his three and a half years at the helm of the mission, during which he had "the privilege of leading a team that has persevered during one of the most difficult periods in the history of UNIFIL." The Spanish general also stated that, "although the cessation of hostilities remains fragile at present, it offers an opportunity to move forward." “With the current regional tensions, our efforts are focused on containing the escalation, strengthening stability, and creating the conditions for a lasting political solution,” added Aroldo Lázaro, who praised his successor's ability to “lead the mission with honor, wisdom, and determination” at a critical moment. Finally, the Spanish military officer thanked the Lebanese leaders, both civilian and military, for their cooperation throughout his mandate, particularly the Armed Forces, and extended his gratitude to the religious and community leaders for promoting dialogue. He also offered a few words of praise to the people of southern Lebanon, recognizing their resilience and the respect they have shown toward the mission's military personnel. The UNIFIL mission comprises 10,500 troops from 49 countries under the common United Nations flag. The mission headquarters is located in Naqura, where Spain has assigned several key positions for Army officers and non-commissioned officers. Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro has commanded the international contingent since February. 2022. Spain's participation in UNIFIL began in September 2006, as part of Operation Libre Hidalgo in southern Lebanon to contribute to the implementation of United Nations Resolution 1701. Since then, the Spanish Armed Forces have led the Eastern Sector of the mission from the Miguel de Cervantes base. The Spanish contingent in UNIFIL is currently one of the largest, with 669 soldiers assigned to various tasks within the mission. The Spanish deployment has focused on patrolling and monitoring the separation line between Israel and Lebanon, in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces. Patrols are carried out both on foot and in vehicles, with the aim of preventing violations of the truce and preventing tensions between the parties from escalating into clashes.
