Lebanon Seeks Greek Aid to Implement Israel Peace Deal

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with Greek officials in Athens on Monday to request assistance in implementing a US-sponsored framework agreement with Israel. Signed in late June, the deal mandates the disarmament of Hezbollah, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon, and the deployment of the Lebanese army to designated pilot zones.

Aoun warned that military force cannot solve the conflict, noting that recent Israeli attacks killed over 4,300 people in Lebanon. He emphasized that the framework agreement cannot be implemented unilaterally and requires commitment from both sides.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pledged increased military assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces to help them establish sole control over Lebanese territory. This support aims to prevent a security vacuum in the south when the UNIFIL mission expires at the end of the year. While Lebanon seeks to renew the UNIFIL mandate, the United States and Israel oppose the renewal.

These diplomatic talks occurred as Greece and Israel announced a separate $3.5 billion deal for an aerial defense system.