Can the explosion in Beirut become a catalyst for change in the Middle East? Especially at a time of prevailing restlessness in the wider Southeastern Mediterranean region due to Turkey’s choices? It is said that this disastrous development could not have come at a worse time. Lebanon has been in a deep economic recession since the beginning of the year. The coronavirus pandemic exacerbated the recession, unemployment and poverty among social, economic and religious groups that are not coexisting harmoniously, stoking instability in one of our planet’s difficult neighbourhoods. The refugee crisis – with two million people in the country – is a further strain on the situation. All of this resulted in flare-ups in civil conflicts and deterioration in Lebanon’s relations with its “neighbours” in the Middle East.
As if all this weren’t enough, the explosion in the port of Beirut on 4 August threatens the country with further hardship, completely destroying the only conduit for supplying the market with products and raw materials. Lebanon, a country that depends on imports for 90% of its grain consumption, through the central port of Beirut, stands now isolated, next to another country undergoing a civil war, namely Syria and another one with which it does not have the best of relations, namely Israel.
In light of this situation, the Greek state immediately took initiatives. Greece arrived in the capital of Lebanon just 18 hours after the explosion, activating the European mechanism for civil protection and undertaking the humanitarian aid mission for meeting immediate needs. We were the first country to send a rescue team – a “first” that we have to follow up on and firmly support.
In the coming days, we are continuing with a new initiative based on donations from private and public organizations throughout Greece. Dozens of Greek enterprises have responded to the Foreign Ministry’s call for donations. Their contribution is both moving and impressive. A long list of basic necessities, medicines and food will be transported to Beirut by the Navy vessel IKARIA in the second half of September. The assistance is being collected in a timely manner and meets the needs of the Lebanese people. It will be delivered to special units of the Lebanese army, which will take delivery of the aid, coordinating its distribution to those in need.
As a state, we are doing and will continue to do everything we can to help Lebanon get back on its feet as an independent country and not be impacted by those who want to exert geopolitical influence. Greece has been, is and will remain a pillar of stability in the region: this is what we represent and pursue. Lebanon needs us, and we need it to be an independent country in the region so that we can avoid situations that might get out of control. This is no time for geopolitical delusions.
September 6, 2020