The outgoing Northern Command chief warned Monday against what he described as the Israel Defense Forces' recent failures.

Udi Adam, who formally handed over his post Monday to Major General Gadi Eisenkot, said the failures he identifies were not on the battlefield.

"These are failures in upholding norms and values such as loyalty, camaraderie, solidarity and hierarchy. There needs to be a deep self-examination," Adam said during the ceremony, attended by IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz, leaders of northern communities, bereaved families and UNIFIL commander Alain Pellegrin.

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Adam said that, upon becoming GOC Northern Command, he was aware of the weight of the responsibility he faced and of the "ticking clock" on the northern front. He said the deceptive calm was liable to be violated.

"This is neither the time nor the place to sum up what happened," Adam said. "Everything is still fresh and enveloped in smoke. We are busy with investigations and with learning lessons. We must be prepared to draw conclusions from the mistakes made both before and during the war."

Eisenkot said a change can be detected in the reality of the security situation along the northern border. He said the Northern Command will act to implement lessons learned during the war.