General Del Vecchio dies, condolences from La Russa and Crosetto

General Mauro Del Vecchio , 79 years old, former senator of the Democratic Party, has died. This was learned from a note from the President of the Senate Ignazio La Russa .

"I express my sincere condolences for the passing of General Mauro Del Vecchio, former senator of the Democratic Party in the XVI legislature. As an officer of the Italian Army, Del Vecchio distinguished himself in numerous international missions and, later from 2005 to 2006, as a General of the Army Corps he was also commander of the NATO forces in Afghanistan in the context of the ISAF operation. He was subsequently appointed to the head of the Joint Operations Command. He was able to combine his extraordinary military preparation with a strong institutional sensitivity. To his family, friends and all those who knew and esteemed him, my most heartfelt condolences, both personal and on behalf of the Senate of the Republic", declared La Russa.

"It is with deep sorrow that I learned of the passing of General Mauro Del Vecchio, former Senator of the Republic. A figure of the highest human, military and institutional value, he dedicated his entire existence to the service of the Nation and its Institutions". Thus the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto .

"An exemplary officer and respected parliamentarian, he represented with honor the Italian Army, the Armed Forces and the entire Defense in the most complex and delicate theaters, always distinguishing himself for his balance, competence and spirit of service", writes Crosetto.

General Luciano Portolano , Chief of the Defence Staff, also remembered Del Vecchio: "A profound connoisseur of military values, General Del Vecchio fully embodied the spirit of the bersagliere: courage, discipline and love for the homeland. His work, his humanity and his professional rigor will continue to be a point of reference and inspiration for future generations of officers. General Del Vecchio authoritatively and respectfully represented the best face of the Italian Defence, contributing significantly to the prestige of our Armed Forces at a national and international level".