Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis stressed the need to find ways in order to “limit the crisis in Lebanon and to finally be able to have the peace sought by all” after the conclusion of his participation in the International Conference in support of the population and sovereignty of Lebanon in Paris on Thursday.
The Greek foreign ninister noted that Greece, as part of the international community and shortly a member of the UN Security Council “will be always on the front lines for peace. Peace, which is currently very highly threatened”.
He stressed the risk of a humanitarian and migration crisis, saying that it goes without saying that the crisis in Lebanon has very significant repercussions and could have even worse consequences, considering the fact that there are tens of thousands of migrants in Lebanon, who are currently in a situation of complete lack of support.
“There are people, more than a million of them, who have been displaced from their homes. There is an overall humanitarian crisis which we have the obligation to manage,” he said, adding that the international community should boost humanitarian assistance.
He stressed that Greece has already sent humanitarian aid and will continue to do so through the European Civil Protection Mechanism and through the UN Coordination Office. In particular, Greece has already sent a shipment, which includes medical and other critical, essential materials, while there will be a second shipment, which will be dispatched immediately. As the Greek foreign minister said, “money has already been allocated, which will be used to alleviate the suffering of the people.”
“I am in constant communication with the Lebanese government, the prime minister and the foreign minister, so that we can coordinate our actions to bring the most help possible to Lebanon,” Gerapetritis stressed, noting that “at this critical crossroads, we ought to guarantee the security of the entire region.”
He added that everyone understands that at this time the situation is extremely complex, with the hotbeds of war in the Middle East.
“We must all work together. The international community must take front stage,” he said.
The International Conference in support of the Lebanese people and sovereignty was held at the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron, who invited the representatives of the G20, the European Union and the Arab world to Paris today to discuss ways to contain the crisis in Lebanon with a view to peace in the Middle East.
