Giandomenico Picco, an Italian diplomat known for his role in negotiating the release of hostages held by terrorist groups in Lebanon in the early 1990s, passed away on Sunday at the age of 75. Picco spent 20 years with the United Nations, working in various conflict resolution roles in some of the world’s most dangerous regions.
His son, Giacomo, confirmed that Picco’s death was due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Throughout his career, Picco played a key role in managing conflicts such as the Cyprus issue between Greece and Turkey, mediating between New Zealand and France after the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior, and helping arrange the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Described as tall, sharply dressed, and discreet, Picco was known for his mysterious disappearances from the U.N. headquarters in Manhattan, only to reappear in conflict zones like Lebanon, Iran, and Afghanistan without passing through border controls. Former U.N. Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar referred to Picco as his “chief troubleshooter” and an “unarmed soldier of diplomacy.”
One of Picco’s most notable achievements was negotiating the release of hostages in Lebanon, including Americans held by Hezbollah. He made multiple trips to the region, often meeting with hostage takers alone and without bodyguards. His efforts led to the freedom of several hostages, for which he was awarded the Presidential Award for Exceptional Service by President George H.W. Bush.
Picco’s career at the United Nations came to an end after successfully securing the release of the last two hostages in Lebanon. He resigned shortly after the mission was completed, choosing to quietly slip away from the public eye.
In his memoir, “Man Without a Gun: One Diplomat’s Secret Struggle to Free the Hostages, Fight Terrorism, and End a War,” Picco recounted his experiences and the challenges he faced in his diplomatic missions. Despite the risks and dangers involved, he remained dedicated to his mission of peace and conflict resolution until the end of his career.
