Dendias, concluding visit to Lebanon: Greece maintains tremendous interest in the protection of Orthodox populations in the Middle East

Greek National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias on Friday concluded his visit to Lebanon, where he was received by President of Lebanon Joseph Aoun on Friday and met with Deputy Premier Dr Tarek Mitri and National Defense Minister Michel Menassah in Beirut, as well as with Patriarch of Antioch Ioannis X Yazigi in Balamand, north Lebanon.

In posts on social media, the Greek minister said that he "had the honour of being received by the President of Lebanon Joseph Aoun, in the presence of the Minister of Defence Michel Menassah." Also attending the meeting were Secretary General of Religions Giorgos Kalantzis and Ambassador of Greece to Lebanon Despina Koukoulopoulou.

Regarding his meeting with Lebanon's deputy premier, the Greek minister said that they discussed "the protection of Christian populations in the area, an issue of outstanding importance for him as well, being a Greek Orthodox."

Further, Dendias noted in another post that he had been warmly received by his counterpart Menassah at the Defense Ministry, and said, "We talked about the further enhancement of our bilateral defense cooperation and we exchanged views on regional and international security issues. During the meeting I invited the Defense Minister of Lebanon to visit Athens."

In statements after the conclusion of his visit, the Greek minister said that with the patriarch of Antioch he had discussed the issue protecting the Christian populations of the region, especially in Lebanon and Syria, particularly after the terrorist attack on the church of Prophet Elijah in Damascus that killed several people. "The Greek government, and I believe the Greek people as well, Greek society, have a tremendous interest in the situation and the protection of Orthodox populations in the Middle East," Dendias said. He also discussed with the patriarch Greece's interest in the Greek-language programme at the University of Balamand's Institute of Theology, the restart of which Dendias had signed for as foreign minister, with support from Greek state funds.

He also noted that he had an opportunity to meet by phone with Culture Minister Ghassan Salame.
"The object of all these meetings and talks was the future and stability in Lebanon, but also - as always - the protection of Greek Orthodox populations. In this context, the Greek Defense Ministry has initiated a program to boost Lebanese Armed Forces with equipment we are withdrawing from the basis of the 'Agenda 2030' plan."

Finally, Dendias concluded, "The Greek Armed Forces are prepared and will support the Armed Forces of Lebanon. But I must reiterate, that the basic reason, condition, and goal is the protection of Greek Orthodox populations, which is the main goal of the Greek government."
 

 
 
 
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