The C-130 and tanker ships from the Ministry of National Defense of Greece are on standby for the transfer of Cypriots and Greeks from Lebanon, as decided by the National Security Council of Greece.
In a meeting that took place this morning at the Ministry of National Defense of Greece, led by Minister Nikos Dendias, with the participation of the Chief of the General Defense Forces General Dimitrios Houpis, the Chief of the GES Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of the General Staff of the General Staff (I) Demosthenes Grigoriadis and the Deputy Chief General Vice-Admiral Georgios Floros PN (as representative of Chief General 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. The meeting took place ahead of the meeting in the afternoon 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 (including tankers).
Finally, the issue of the implementation of the operational plans to assist in the release of Greek citizens from the wider region by any available means, if this becomes necessary, was examined.
