Joseph Aoun asks Greece to help ensure Israel implements Lebanon deal in full

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has urged Greece to assist in ensuring the complete implementation of a US-mediated agreement with Israel, aimed at ending the conflict. During a meeting in Athens with Greek President Constantine Tassoulas, Aoun emphasized that both sides must adhere to the framework, not selectively. He requested Greece's maximum support to help Lebanon, particularly in ending Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon and the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah.

The request followed Greece's signing of a substantial arms deal, the largest in bilateral history, which includes the delivery of the "Achilles Shield" air-defence system. The June framework agreement aims to cease hostilities, disarm Hezbollah, deploy Lebanese forces in the south, and gradually withdraw Israeli troops from Lebanon.

Despite the truce, Israel has persisted in demolishing villages within the buffer zone, constituting around 7% of Lebanon. The deal, however, has been rejected by Hezbollah, which deems it insufficient due to the lack of a timetable for Israel's withdrawal. Lebanon has turned to international support to compel Israel to fulfill its obligations under the agreement.

Aoun highlighted that resolving the issue through military means is ineffective, stressing that the agreement cannot be implemented unilaterally. His primary objective during the Athens visit was to bolster bilateral ties, which he described as strong and founded on a shared commitment to international law and peaceful resolutions.

He also acknowledged Greece's valuable contributions, including a recent ship delivering military aid to Lebanon.