Support for Middle Eastern Christians at the Center of Athens Defense Talks

In a meeting between the defense ministers of Greece and Lebanon, the issue of “support for Middle Eastern Christians” alongside military and security cooperation held a prominent place.

During the visit of “Michel Menasce,” Lebanon’s Defense Minister, to Athens, a topic extending beyond conventional military cooperation became the focus of discussions. These talks centered on supporting Middle Eastern Christians. The Thursday, November 13 meeting between Menasce and “Nikos Dendias,” Greece’s Defense Minister, took place at a time when Lebanon faces complex security challenges and is striving to restore the army’s authority in the south of the country.

Dendias announced at this meeting that Greece is ready to donate a shipment of armored vehicles to the Lebanese Army; a move that, according to him, is part of “a broader framework of defense cooperation” that also includes training Lebanese officers at Greek military academies. He emphasized that this support is aimed at helping to stabilize Lebanon and strengthen the capabilities of the country’s armed forces.

However, the most important part of this meeting was Greece’s clear message in the field of religious freedoms. Dendias, referring to the historical role of Christians in the social structure of the Middle East, stated: “Greece condemns any violent action against religious freedom in the region and is committed to supporting the rights of Middle Eastern Christians.”

He also emphasized that Christians in Lebanon and the Middle East are “an indigenous population and an integral part of the region’s identity,” stressing Athens’ firm support for Greek Orthodox Patriarchates throughout the Middle East.

The process of declining Christian population in Lebanon remains one of the serious concerns of church institutions and defenders of religious freedom. This process not only changes the social fabric of the country but is also considered a threat to Lebanon’s political and cultural heritage; a country that has always been recognized as a symbol of religious and cultural coexistence in the Middle East.

At a time when the role of Christians in Lebanon’s power structure is vital for maintaining political balance, any weakening of this population will have consequences beyond Lebanon’s borders and makes international attention and support more necessary than ever.