Lebanon asks Greece for help in implementing agreement with Israel

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on August 31 asked Greece for help in implementing a US-brokered deal with Israel. The appeal came hours after Athens and Tel Aviv announced a $3.5 billion arms deal, Al Arabiya reported.

In March, Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel, drawing Lebanon into the Middle East war. Israel responded by launching a large-scale airstrike and invading southern Lebanon by land. Israel and Lebanon then began direct talks aimed at ending hostilities.

In late June, the two countries signed a ceasefire agreement. The document calls for Hezbollah to be disarmed, Israeli forces to gradually withdraw from southern Lebanon, and the Lebanese army to deploy in the region, starting with pilot areas.

“Lebanon and the Lebanese people are tired of wars. The goal of the negotiations with Israel was to end the state of hostilities from the beginning,” Aoun said in Athens during a meeting with Greek President Konstantinos Tassoulas.

“This agreement cannot be implemented unilaterally. It must be implemented on both sides. We ask Greece for as much support as possible to help Lebanon,” he added.

Aoun said that since the start of the last war, more than 4,300 people have been killed in Lebanon as a result of Israeli attacks. More than 12,000 others have been injured. Between 60 and 70 villages have also been destroyed.

“The problem cannot be solved by military force,” the Lebanese president warned.

At a press conference with Aoun, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said his country supports Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence and unity. He expressed his support for all efforts to defuse the situation and achieve mutual understanding.

Aoun expressed hope that Greece would continue to support the Lebanese army. He demanded the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and the establishment of Lebanese state control over the country. By this, he meant the government's promise to disarm Hezbollah.

He also expressed hope that Greece would help in the international arena, including at the UN.

"We are discussing the continuation of the UN role in southern Lebanon," he said.

Lebanon is seeking to extend the mandate of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force in the country. The force has served as a buffer between Lebanon and Israel for decades. However, its mandate expires at the end of 2026. The United States and Israel oppose the extension of this mandate.