World News
Lebanon asks Greece to assist in enforcing framework agreement with Israel
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun seeks Greek support following a military deal between Athens and Israel.
The short version
- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun requested assistance from Greek leadership to help enforce a US-brokered agreement aimed at ending hostilities with Israel and securing Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
- The appeal occurred shortly after Greece and Israel announced a major bilateral arms agreement.
- The framework agreement requires Hezbollah's disarmament alongside an Israeli withdrawal, but Hezbollah refuses to disarm until Israeli forces fully pull back.
- US-mediated negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to resume in September.
Key facts
- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with Greek leaders in Athens to ask for help enforcing a US-brokered framework agreement with Israel.[Al Jazeera]
- The request followed an announcement of a multibillion-dollar defense procurement deal between Greece and Israel.[Al Jazeera]
- The framework agreement signed in June outlines the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the disarmament of Hezbollah, and the deployment of the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon.[Al Jazeera]
- Hezbollah has refused to implement the agreement until Israeli military forces complete a withdrawal from Lebanese territory.[Al Jazeera]
- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated Greece supports Lebanese sovereignty and efforts toward regional de-escalation.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unclear what specific mechanisms or influence Greece could employ to help enforce the agreement between Israel and Lebanon.[Al Jazeera]