Diodato Abagnara, an Italian major general, took command of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Tuesday, succeeding Spanish Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz at the head of approximately 10,000 soldiers from 47 countries.
Born in 1970 in Pagani, Italy, and with a military career spanning more than 36 years, Diodato Abagnara has held significant positions in Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo (where he coordinated civil-military operations), in the western sector of UNIFIL from 2018 to 2019, and then as chairman of the Military Technical Committee for Lebanon (MTC4L).
In Rome, he held senior positions as head of the personnel division, advisor to the Defense Staff, infantry brigade commander and recruitment officer.
His academic background is particularly rich. He holds four bachelor's degrees: in political science, international and diplomatic studies, management and communication and strategic studies, as well as six master's degrees in fields such as law, cybersecurity, international strategic studies and digital leadership.
A polyglot, he is fluent in Italian and English and has a good command of French and Spanish.
His commitment to peace and interfaith dialogue has earned him several awards. In 2010, he received the Bronze Cross of Merit from the army, followed by the Silver Cross in 2020.
He has risen through the ranks of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, becoming a knight, officer and then commander. In 2021, he was named Knight of the Military Order of Italy.
In addition, in 2020, Pope Francis elevated him to the rank of Knight Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester, notably for his role in the construction of a Latin church in Chamaa, southern Lebanon.
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