Greece has approved transferring 13 armored personnel carriers (APCs) to Lebanon’s Armed Forces, deepening cooperation between Athens and Beirut amid mounting regional instability.

Parliament’s Special Permanent Committee on Defense Programs approved the request submitted to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun for M113 armored personnel carriers from Greek Army General Staff reserves.

Greece will provide Lebanon with 13 such vehicles following the necessary maintenance in Greece. The transfer stems from discussions that began before Aoun assumed the presidency, when he was commander of Lebanon’s armed forces. The vehicle transfer represents part of a broader agreement between Athens and Beirut aimed at reorganizing and restructuring Lebanon’s armed forces. Training for Lebanese military officers will increase in coming years, while significant discussions continue regarding naval assistance for the country.

Current cooperation focuses on personnel training, with the potential expansion of Lebanese officers trained at Greek military academies including the Hellenic Military Academy and Naval Academy. The partnership reflects growing military ties between the two nations.

Beyond military equipment and training, cooperation with Aoun’s government carries significant political dimensions. The former general is viewed as a stabilizing factor in Lebanon and the broader region, which remains a volatile zone requiring a delicate balance from multiple parties. Despite his military background, Aoun is credited, even by opponents, with strong political instincts.

In the new Middle East balance of power emerging after October 7, 2023, and the Gaza war, Athens is seeking increased political and diplomatic access to remain present in a region that decisively affects Greek national interests.

The agreement with Lebanon signals Greece’s broader diplomatic strategy of building partnerships with key regional actors as traditional power structures shift across the Middle East, positioning Athens as a stabilizing influence.

Source: Ekathimerini.com