As part of UNIFIL’s ongoing support to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), the UN peacekeeping mission today handed over more than 100 vehicles and other pieces of equipment during a ceremony held in Naqoura.

The donation comprised 101 items, including SUVs, cargo trucks, water tankers, ambulances and baggage dollies. 

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara and the LAF Commander’s representative Brigadier General Walid Abou Shaer signed the respective handover documents, formalizing the donation. 

In his address to the ceremony, the UNIFIL head said the donation demonstrated the mission’s “steadfast support” to its strategic partner, the LAF.

“The collaboration between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces is one of the pillars of stability in southern Lebanon, and today’s event further strengthens our long-standing mutual commitment,” Major General Abagnara said.

He added that the donated items will “significantly enhance LAF mobility, security, and operational response” and will reinforce State authority in the UNIFIL area of operation.

For his part, Brigadier General Abou Shaer said UNIFIL’s “valuable donation” will enhance LAF capabilities “in line with its essential role in safeguarding Lebanon’s security and stability.”

“Continuous cooperation with UNIFIL has enabled the LAF to make significant strides in developing logistical support systems for its units – a critical component closely linked to operational readiness,” he said.

Today’s donation falls under the framework of the Strategic Dialogue process, started in 2010, and in accordance with Security Council resolution 1701. The Strategic Dialogue process is the mechanism by which UNIFIL seeks donor support to ensure LAF capability development in south Lebanon.

Since 2013, UNIFIL has donated various resources to Lebanon’s security entities, including vehicles, prefabricated buildings, generators, sea containers, and computer and information technology equipment. This is in addition to the assistance provided by UNIFIL’s troop-contributing countries on a bilateral basis.

Next week, the mission is planning a similar donation to the Directorate General of General Security of Lebanon, which is responsible for addressing national security threats and securing the country’s borders