Cease-fire, 1701 must be respected, Greek PM tells Mikati

At a meeting in Beirut on Monday with his Lebanese counterpart Najib Mikati, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed the need to respect the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as Resolution 1701.

At the Grand Serail, the Greek official said that “the international community and Greece are doing their utmost to ensure respect for the cease-fire and the 1701 agreement, which guarantees Lebanon's full sovereignty over its territory and the conditions for lasting peace and security for its people,” according to remarks reported by the official National News Agency (NNA). He also affirmed that his country “has always been and will remain a full partner in Lebanon's reconstruction efforts.” Mitsotakis also discussed ways of supporting the Lebanese Army with his counterpart. “It is essential and important to support the Lebanese Army, which is expected to play a major role in the implementation of the cease-fire agreement, as well as in the return of displaced persons to their homes,” he said, also acknowledging "the essential role of UNIFIL in establishing stability and peace in the region."

Mikati reiterated “the importance of adhering to the measures taken for the cease-fire and ensuring its continuity, in particular the full implementation of Resolution 1701.” He also considered that the fact that Greece has become a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council for the years 2025 and 2026 “will help amplify the Lebanese voice, defend Lebanon's right to peace and stability, and put an end to Israeli aggression against the country.” “We emphasized the important role of the army at this level, and President Mitsotakis expressed Greece's willingness to work to meet the needs of the troops,” Mikati added, noting that this point was discussed at a bilateral meeting between the Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese Army and the Chief of Staff of the Greek Army.

'Critical turning point'

Turning to Syria, the Greek Prime Minister welcomed the fall of Bashar al-Assad, but felt that this development “also presents risks in terms of migration and security.” “The political way forward must include all groups and take into account the differences and divisions in Syria, because the Syrian people have suffered so much. We hope that Syria's future stability will enable millions of displaced people, many of whom are in Lebanon, to return to Syria,” he continued.

“Syria is now the focus of attention, but that in no way means that Lebanon and its people are far from our attention. Today, we are at a critical and important turning point, and the cease-fire with Israel has brought the first glimmer of hope in a long time,” he concluded.

Accompanied by his delegation, Mitsotakis also held talks with the Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh. His visit coincided with that of Mohammad ben Abdel Aziz el-Khulaifi, Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. The latter also held talks with Berry and Mikati, as well as with the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Joseph Aoun.

These meetings come as a truce between Lebanon and Israel came into effect on Nov. 27, after 13 months of clashes with Hezbollah. During the conflict, more than 4,000 people were killed, according to the Health Minisry. Meanwhile, political discussions have intensified in the run-up to a parliamentary session scheduled for Jan. 9, 2025 to elect a president, after more than two years of vacancy at the head of Lebanon's supreme magistracy. Qatar is part of the Quintet (United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt) that is trying to extricate Lebanon from its political impasse.

Il faut respecter le cessez-le-feu et la 1701, affirme le Premier ministre grec à Mikati