Greece’s Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, announced the imminent shipment of armored vehicles to Lebanon following his meeting with his Lebanese counterpart, Michel Menassa, in Athens.
The announcement underscores Greece’s commitment to supporting Lebanon‘s stability and defense capabilities, Dendias said.
He emphasized that Greece’s support goes beyond words, stating:
“We have agreed to donate a series of armored and transport vehicles to Lebanon. A Greek tank landing ship will transport them to Beirut in the immediate future.”
Σε συνέχεια των επισκέψεών μου στον Λίβανο, υποδέχθηκα με ιδιαίτερη χαρά σήμερα, στο Υπουργείο Εθνικής Άμυνας, τον Υπουργό Άμυνας του Λιβάνου κ. Michel Menassa @MGMichelMenassa.
Εστιάσαμε σε περιφερειακά θέματα ασφαλείας καθώς και στη συνδρομή της 🇬🇷 στην ενίσχυση των Ενόπλων… pic.twitter.com/6SHxd6Eicd
— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) November 13, 2025
He stressed that this aid is part of Greece’s concrete effort to help Lebanon achieve stability and development.
Continuing defense cooperation between Greece and Lebanon
The ministers agreed to continue their existing military cooperation program. Greece remains committed to training officers from the Lebanese Armed Forces at Greek military academies.
Minister Dendias highlighted Greece’s role in regional security and stability. He recalled Greece’s significant role in renewing the mandate for the UNIFIL peacekeeping force while it was a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Greece currently participates in the mission with a frigate and is ready to maintain its presence if requested by Lebanon.
Dendias called the agreement on the demarcation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between Lebanon and Cyprus a “positive development for stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
Protection of Christian populations
A special reference was made to the necessity of protecting the Christian populations of the Middle East. Dendias stated that Greece condemns all forms of violence against religious freedom and actively supports the Greek Orthodox Patriarchates in the region.
Lebanon’s response
Minister Michel Menassa expressed his gratitude for Greece’s “steadfast friendship and support,” noting, “The aid you provide today reflects your continuous commitment to Lebanon.”
He acknowledged the economic and security difficulties facing Lebanon but stressed that the Lebanese Armed Forces remain strong and dedicated to defending their sovereignty. Menassa concluded by stating that the Lebanon–Cyprus EEZ agreement was founded on the existing friendship between Lebanon and Greece.
