Two C-130s are on standby for the release of Greek citizens from Lebanon, as was decided in a meeting at the Ministry of National Defense ahead of the afternoon meeting of the Governmental National Security Council (KYSEA) at Megaros Maximos under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Among other things, the assistance of the Greek Armed Forces in the operation to release Cypriot citizens from Lebanon was examined.

Already, a C-130 transport aircraft of the Greek Air Force is on standby to carry out an operation to evacuate Cypriot citizens from that country, following yesterday’s telephone conversation between Mr. Dendias and his counterpart of the Republic of Cyprus, Vassilis Palmas. The time of the shipment will be determined by the Cypriot side.

The meeting also discussed the possibility of the assistance of the Armed Forces in an operation to rescue Greek citizens from Lebanon, if necessary, and it was decided to have two additional C-130 transport aircraft on hand.

For the same reason, an order was given by the competent leadership to make available Surface Units of the Navy, including Surface Units capable of transporting civilians.

Finally, the issue of the implementation of operational plans to assist in the release of Greek citizens from the wider region by any available means, if this becomes necessary, was discussed.

In a meeting that took place this morning at the Ministry of National Defense under the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias, with the participation of the Chief of the General Defense Forces General Dimitrios Houpis, the Chief of the General Directorate of Military Operations Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of General Directorate of Military Operations Vice Admiral (I) Demosthenes Grigoriadis and the Deputy Chief of General Staff Vice-Admiral Georgios Floros PN (as a representative of the Chief of General Staff Vice-Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Katara PN due to his absence for official reasons), issues related to the recent developments in the Middle East were examined.