Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called on Greece to support the implementation of the US-brokered framework agreement with Israel, which was designed to end hostilities between the two countries.
During a meeting with Greek President Constantine Tassoulas on Monday, Aoun asked Athens to help push forward Israel’s withdrawal from areas in southern Lebanon and to end the ongoing conflict with Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah.
The request came just hours after Greece and Israel unveiled a multibillion-dollar arms deal.
“We asked Greece to support Lebanon as much as possible,” Aoun said at the meeting in Athens.
Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement in late June that calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the area.
However, Hezbollah has rejected the deal unless Israel, which continues to carry out airstrikes and destruction across southern Lebanon, first pulls its troops out of Lebanese territory.
That has left Beirut seeking additional support to end the conflict, while insisting that it is fulfilling its own commitments under the agreement.
Israel has killed more than 4,300 people in Lebanon, wounded over 12,000, and destroyed between 60 and 70 villages since March.
“Resolving the issue by force will not succeed,” Aoun warned. “The framework agreement … cannot be implemented unilaterally. It needs to be implemented from both sides,” he said.
At a joint press conference with Aoun, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said his country supports “the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Lebanon” and would back “all efforts aimed at de-escalation and enhancing mutual understanding.”
Aoun expressed hope for further support from Greece.
Earlier this month, Lebanon and Israel concluded their seventh round of US-mediated talks. While negotiations took place in Rome, Israel intensified its attacks in southern Lebanon.
The next round of talks between Israel and Lebanon is expected to take place in September.
