The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias meets with the Minister of Defence of Lebanon Michel Menassah

The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias meets with the Minister of Defence of Lebanon Michel Menassah

November 13, 2025

The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendiashad a meeting on Thursday 13 November 2025 with the Minister of Defence of Lebanon Michel Menassahat the Ministry of National Defence.

After the private meeting between the two Ministers, extended talks were conducted between the two delegations at "Ioannis Kapodistrias" hall in the Ministry of National Defence.

The agenda was focused on regional security issues, as well as the contribution of Greece to the strengthening of the Armed Forces of Lebanon.

On his side, Mr. Dendias stressed that the protection of Christian populations in the wider Middle East region is an issue of utmost importance for Greece.

The talks were attended by the Chief HNDGS General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief HAFGS Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, the Deputy Chief HNGS Rear Admiral Spyridon Lagaras, representing the Chief HNGS, the General Director of Defence Investments and Armaments (GDDIA) of the Ministry of National Defence Major General Ioannis Bourasand the Deputy General Director of National Defence Policy and Information Relations Brigadier General Fotios Arbis.

On the part of Lebanon participated the Inspector General Major General Fadi Makhoul, the Director of Military Office Brigadier General Gerges Al Ghazzi, Ambassador of the Embassy of Lebanon in Athens Kenj El Hajaland the Deputy Chief of General Staff for Personnel Matters Brigadier General Omar Mjalled.

Mr. Dendias noted in the joint statements:

"Minister, Your Excellency, dear friend Michel,

I am delighted to welcome you to Greece and to the Ministry of National Defence. Your presence here today is tangible proof of the strengthening or our relations, following my two visits to Beirut and, of course, the visit by the Greek Prime Minister, Mr. Mitsotakis to Lebanon.

We had the opportunity to discuss a number of security issues that concern our wider region.

I would like to thank you for the information you gave me on the various issues concerning Middle East. Your extensive experience and knowledge are invaluable to us.

However, I would like to tell you that we, for our part, consider the success of President Aoun's efforts to transform Lebanon into a country full of security, peace and prosperity to be of paramount importance.

I would like to say that Greece stands in solidarity with your efforts to create conditions of security and prosperity in your country. And because words are not enough, we have agreed - and we have just reiterated this - to donate a number of armoured vehicles to Lebanon, as well as transport vehicles. And we decided today, at our meeting, to jointly facilitate the transfer of these vehicles to Lebanon. They are already ready; and a Greek transport ship will take them to Beirut in the coming days.

We also discussed continuing the cooperation programme with Greek Military Academies. We are ready to provide training to Lebanese Armed Forces officers as you wish.

Furthermore, we have taken the lead as Greece and as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in the renewal of the UNIFIL mandate, and we are participating with a frigate, as is well-known, in UNIFIL. Moreover, we are ready, if Lebanon so wishes, to continue our presence in this maritime region.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the announcement by the Lebanese Council of Ministers on the delimitation of an Exclusive Economic Zone between Lebanon and the Republic of Cyprus.

As I have told you in private, an issue of utmost importance for Greece is the protection of Christian populations in the wider Middle East region.

We have condemned every act of violence directed against religious freedom in the Middle East and have expressed our support for Christian communities, as well as our position on the protection of all religious minorities in the Middle East.

But I would like to say that Christians in the Middle East are not a minority group, they are native populations, an integral element of the historical continuity and social fabric in both Lebanon and Syria and the wider Middle East.

That is why we firmly support the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchates and we will do what is possible in the future to that end.

We have taken specific initiatives in Lebanon for cooperation with the University of Balamand, since the time I was Minister of Foreign Affairs, but now, as Minister of National Defence, I also had the opportunity to visit it and be received by His Beatitude the Patriarch of Antioch.

Dear colleague, I repeat my great pleasure for your presence today. I would like us to have constant contact, as it is very important. We shall continue the discussion at the working lunch that will follow.

I would like to ask you to convey my warmest regards and support to President Aoun and the Lebanese government. We believe in what you are trying to achieve, and we are ready to do everything we can within the scope of our capabilities to support you.

Once again, welcome to Athens".