Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun urges Greece to back the army, secure Israel’s withdrawal and strengthen state authority as Beirut pursues diplomacy and stability, reports Arab Daily News Desk
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called on Greece to strengthen its support for Lebanon’s army and official security forces as Beirut seeks to confront what he described as two existential challenges facing the country: the continued presence of Israeli troops on Lebanese territory and the existence of weapons held by armed groups outside state control.
Aoun made the appeal during talks in Athens on Monday with Greek President Konstantinos Tasoulas and other senior Greek officials, stressing that Lebanon needed to address both issues simultaneously as part of efforts to restore the authority of the state and secure long-term stability.
He said Lebanon’s position was based on two parallel objectives: securing a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and ensuring that the Lebanese state exercises exclusive authority over the country.
“The objective of negotiations with Israel is to end the state of hostility,” Aoun said at a press conference, referring to diplomatic talks between Lebanon and Israel being mediated by the US.
“We are advocates of peace and insist on ending this state of hostility. Lebanon and its people are tired of wars,” he said.
Aoun also pointed to a framework agreement signed by Lebanon, Israel and the US at the end of June, which was intended to bring an end to hostilities and establish the foundations for longer-term peace.
He urged Greece to use its diplomatic influence to help ensure the agreement is fully implemented.
“We ask Greece to help, as much as possible, to ensure the agreement is implemented,” Aoun said, arguing that military approaches had repeatedly failed to resolve Lebanon’s security challenges.
“Attempts to solve the problem through military means have failed and will continue to fail. Diplomacy offers the best solution,” he said.
The Lebanese president’s comments come as Beirut seeks to consolidate the authority of state institutions and prevent the country from being drawn back into cycles of conflict. The issue of armed groups operating outside direct government control remains a central challenge for Lebanon as it attempts to strengthen its national security institutions.
Aoun also underlined the broader regional and European implications of Lebanon’s stability, warning that renewed unrest would not be confined to the country’s borders.
He said stability in Lebanon was vital not only for its own people but also for the wider Middle East and Europe, highlighting the potential consequences of any renewed escalation.
