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UNIFIL chief warns of transition challenges in southern Lebanon
Major General Diodato Abagnara, head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), has emphasized the need for a smooth transition of responsibilities to the Lebanese army and other UN agencies before the peacekeeping force begins its withdrawal. The UN Security Council has mandated that UNIFIL start its withdrawal process by the end of 2026.
Abagnara noted that transferring certain posts to the Lebanese army could be 'very difficult' because more than half of UNIFIL's current positions are located within areas controlled by Israeli forces. Diplomats have expressed concern that the departure of the peacekeeping mission could result in the UN losing its 'eyes and ears' in southern Lebanon.
The transition comes amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Abagnara also characterized recent Israeli demolition operations in southern Lebanese towns as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
Entities
Diodato Abagnara · Hezbollah · Israel · Lebanese Army · UNIFIL · United Nations · United Nations Security Council
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Abagnara described Israeli demolition operations in southern Lebanon as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. ch23.com · s.alwakeelnews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Handing over some UNIFIL posts to the Lebanese army may be very difficult because more than half of those positions are currently in areas controlled by Israeli troops. ch23.com · s.alwakeelnews.com · www.al-monitor.com · www.newarab.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The UN Security Council has ordered UNIFIL to begin withdrawing by the end of 2026. ch23.com · s.alwakeelnews.com · www.al-monitor.com · www.newarab.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Major General Diodato Abagnara stated that other UN agencies and the Lebanese army must be able to assume UNIFIL's tasks before the force begins its withdrawal. ch23.com · s.alwakeelnews.com · www.al-monitor.com · www.newarab.com