Beirut: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed on Monday that current conditions in Lebanon and the region require the continued presence of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the south. The Lebanese presidency said in a statement that during a meeting with UNIFIL's new commander, Major General Diodato Abagnara, Aoun condemned Israeli violations, including continued occupation of five hills in the south and the failure to release Lebanese detainees, calling these actions clear breaches of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Aoun emphasized the role of UNIFIL in working alongside the Lebanese army to maintain security and stability, which he described as essential for regional peace. He highlighted the importance of the partnership between UNIFIL and the Lebanese army, as well as the humanitarian and social impact of the force, which provides jobs for over 500 Lebanese families.
Major General Diodato Abagnara assumed his new duties as Commander of UNIFIL on June 24, after having previously held several leadership positions within the international forces in the south. Lebanon officially requested the renewal of UNIFIL's mandate for one year starting from August 31, 2025, as announced on Friday.