Naqoura, Lebanon – On 28 April 2010, Brigadier-General Santi Bonfanti of Italy assumed the post of Deputy Force Commander and Deputy Head of Mission of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), succeeding Brigadier-General Apurba Kumar Bardalai of India.Brigadier-General Bonfanti brings to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission international knowledge and expertise.From August 2008 to September 2009, he served as Chef de Cabinet and Chief of the Joint Effects Coordination Branch at the NATO HQ Kosovo Force (KFOR) in Pristina.

Then he went on to become the Chief of Staff of the Italian Acqui Division in San Giorgio a Cremano before joining UNIFIL.

Brigadier-General Bonfanti commanded the 52nd Field Artillery Regiment in Vercelli, belonging to the Italian Artillery Brigade, from September 2005 to May 2007. Afterwards, he served until July 2008 as Director of the Staff Operations and Head of the Central Staff Division at the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps in Solbiate Olona, Italy.

Brigadier-General Bonfanti attended the Military Academy in Modena. He earned a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Strategic Sciences from the University of Turin and later on a Bachelor's degree in International and Diplomatic Sciences at the University of Trieste e Gorizia.

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