Lebanon Seek Greek Aid After Greenlighting Massive Arms Deal With Israel

Lebanon turned to Athens for aid after Greece greenlit a massive weapons purchase from Tel Aviv. President Joseph Aoun asked Greek leader Constantine Tassoulas to help enforce the American-brokered framework agreement with Israel. The goal is simple: stop the fighting in southern Lebanon and end Israeli occupation of those areas.

This plea arrived just hours after news broke that Greece and Israel sealed a multibillion-dollar arms deal. Aoun told officials in Athens he needed Greek help as much as possible to advance this US-backed plan. He wants an end to the conflict involving Hezbollah, an armed group based inside Lebanon.

The framework agreement was signed by Lebanon and Israel back in late June. It calls for three main things: disarmament of Hezbollah, withdrawal of Israeli troops from south Lebanon, and deployment of the Lebanese army into that zone. But trouble remains. Hezbollah has refused to sign unless Israel stops its air strikes and demolitions across southern land first. Since March, Israel has killed more than 4,300 people in Lebanon, wounded over 12,000 others, and destroyed between 60 and 70 villages. That destruction leaves Beirut desperate for outside support to keep its side of the deal intact while the other side drags its feet.

"Solving the problem by military force will not succeed," Aoun warned during their meeting. "The framework agreement… cannot be implemented unilaterally. It needs to be implemented on both sides," he said. Without mutual action, the paper promise stays just that, a piece of paper.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended a press conference with Aoun alongside his team. He stated his country supports "the sovereignty, independence and unity of Lebanon" and would back "all efforts aimed at de-escalation and mutual comprehension." Aoun said he looked forward to further Greek support in these dark times.

Earlier this month, Lebanon and Israel finished a seventh round of talks mediated by the United States. While diplomats worked through negotiations in Rome, Israeli forces ramped up attacks on southern Lebanon. The next round of discussions is set for September. Meanwhile, protests and criticism have erupted within Lebanon itself over the deal, leaving the country deeply divided. Some ask why they must suffer while others sign away their security.