Hungary to support Lebanon's army instead of Ukraine with 400 million forints

"Hungary will support the Lebanese army with 400 million forints (approximately 991,500 euros) instead of sending weapons to Ukraine," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on Tuesday. The support is intended to help strengthen the Middle Eastern country's army through the European Peace Facility, minister Péter Szijjártó said, adding that the two countries enjoy friendly relations and that Hungary would continue to support efforts to promote calm and stability in the region – the Hungarian State News Agency, MTI writes.

“We are sending these funds to Lebanon through the European Peace Facility, and we are able to do this because we are not sending weapons to Ukraine, so we can transfer the money that would go there to other countries.”

– Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó said.

Speaking via live video from Beirut, Szijjártó said the recent election of a Christian president in Lebanon was a welcome development. There is a significant Christian community in Lebanon, who are in a difficult situation, and Hungary has sent six billion forints in aid over the past seven years to strengthen these Christian communities. In addition, sixteen Hungarian soldiers are serving in the Lebanese peacekeeping forces, the Foreign Minister said.

According to the minister, although the situation in the Middle East has improved due to the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but this situation must be maintained in order to achieve lasting peace in the region, Szijjártó said. In addition, he said, creating stability is also important for the prevention of new waves of migration. Szijjártó also urged Syrians who had fled from Syria to Lebanon to return home as soon as possible.