Lebanon

Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Wednesday expressed gratitude for Türkiye's support as his country continues to endure Israeli attacks.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is visiting Lebanon, marking the first visit by a European leader since the recent ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah, as well as developments in Syria. The visit underscores Greece's intention to strengthen diplomatic relations in the Middle East and send a message in support of stability and peace.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will visit Lebanon on Monday, December 13, he announced during the conference titled "Post-Junta Era 1974-2024: 50 Years of Greek Foreign Policy. "

Three civilians were killed in an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon on Dec. 11, in the latest violation of a ceasefire deal between the two sides, Lebanese media said.

The fatalities occurred when a drone fired a guided missile at the Al-Awaini neighborhood in Bint Jbeil district, the state news agency NNA reported.

Steven Howard, the Director of Policy and Outreach at the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), joins Thanos Davelis ahead of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' expected visit to Beirut look at the current situation on the ground in Lebanon, what to expect from the new US administration here, and how Greece and Cyprus can be helpful as we consider Lebanon's future. 

A disruption occurred with the Prime Minister’s scheduled trip to Lebanon today, as it was reported shortly after 8:00 a.m. that the government aircraft had suffered a malfunction.

Due to this issue, which the government was informed of by the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ trip to Lebanon cannot take place today.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is heading to Beirut on Friday, for a visit government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis on Thursday described as "a powerful message in support of stability and peace in the region." 

Hours after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire to end the war between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect, Lebanon woke up to the sound of celebratory gunfire instead of Israeli airstrikes and drones buzzing overhead.

The Lebanese army accused Israel on Nov. 28 of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement between the two sides.

The ceasefire came into force on Nov. 27, ending over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah group.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis held a call with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday.

Mitsotakis welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, stating that Greece is in favor of stability and peace in Lebanon. 

He also said the Greece is ready to assist in any way possible with the implementation of the ceasefire.