Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis told the Vradyni on Sunday newspaper that the crisis in Lebanon demonstrated that Greece and Cyprus were a factor for peace and stability in southeastern Europe, as well as a source of humaneness.

"Greece and Cyprus can play a major role in the region as they do not promote narrow national interests," Kassimis noted.

Asked whether Greece would take part in a peace-keeping force in Lebanon, he said that this would have to be sought by decision of the UN; and Greek involvement would depend on the nature of any mandate given by the UN Security Council.

[02] Greece strongly condemns Israeli killings in Qana

31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"The tragedy in Qana has left us all aghast - full of abhorrence and deeply-felt grief. Nothing can justify the mass killing of unarmed people," the foreign ministry's spokesman, George Koumoutsakos, said in a statement.

"We condemn those acts that have added yet another bloody episode in the vicious circle of violence in Lebanon witnessed in the last one and a half months," the spokesman noted.

He also recalled that Greece had from the first sought an immediate end to the violence.

"Now the need for an immediate halt to hostilities and for a truce is more pressing than ever. The international community, all of us, must act responsibly and without delay," the spokesman added.

[03] Main opposition deplores Israeli attack on Qana

31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"Today's tragedy with the Israeli offensive on Qana and the death of unarmed citizens and young children has provoked abhorrence and condemnation from us all. It is the outcome of a war that must stop immediately. It must stop now," party leader George Papandreou said in Zakynthos.

"As long as this war lasts, we shall be mourning for unarmed people. This war must stop now and the way to peace must be paved with the help of the international community," Papandreou urged.

He added that he had spoken to Lebanese president Emile Lahoud, who asked him to take initiatives that would end the war.

Papandreou accused the Greek government of failing to take a policy stand over troubles in the Middle East, in sharp contrast to PASOK.

"It is passively watching what is happening...Greece's voice in the interational arena is fading," he added.

[04] Greece sends more aid to war-torn Lebanon

31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

An air force C-130 cargo aircraft left for Cyprus at noon from Elefsina military airport carrying 13.5 tones of aid offered by the domestic armed forces and Red Cross in a mission coordinated by the foreign ministry's Hellenic Aid division.

On the basis of a formal request by the Lebanese government to the European Union, the consignment includes bedding, tents and food.

The humanitarian aid will be sent to Lebanon from Larnaca in Cyprus aboard a Greek Navy aircraft carrier currently in Cyprus, the defense ministry reported on Friday.

[05] Party wants Israeli gov't branded a war criminal

31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"The Israeli government....should be sent to trial for war crimes. Equally responsible is the US government," the party's shadow foreign policy spokesman, Panos Trigazis, said in a statement.

"European Union foreign ministers holding an emergency meeting on Tuesday should begin the session with footage of the massacre in Qana," the spokesman added.

[06] Hezbollah sees no rapid end to Lebanon war

31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In a preview released by the Sunday Eleftherotypia newspaper ahead of publication, Fayad stated that US policy aimed at creating a new domestic political environment in Lebanon.

Hezbollah had restricted its offensive to military targets in Israel, which had then responded by attacking unarmed civilians in Lebanon, he noted.

Fayad, also head of Hezbollah's centre for strategic studies, acknowledged that the US was controlling the war but time would favour the Shiite organisation.

[07] PM ends trip to Athos awed by monastic heritage

31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Ending the official segment of his trip on Saturday to the remote northern peninsula, which houses about 20 monasteries and 1,500 monks, Karamanlis attended services, admired Byzantine treasures and viewed an icon of the Virgin Mary that is reputed to have wrought miracles.

Before leaving for Thessaloniki on his way to Athens, the premier enjoyed a two-hour walk amid the mountain's rugged beauty.

He also planted a wild mulberry at a monastery entrance as a token of his respect for Athos' spiritual and earthly environment.

Under its ancient privileged status, Athos is a self-administering part of the Greek state while falling under the country's sovereignty. Spiritually, the "Holy Mountain" lies under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul.

All who live the monastic life on Athos acquire Greek citizenship as soon as they are accepted as novices or monks, with no further formalities.

[08] PM backs preservation of Athos heritage

31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Ending the official segment of a two-day visit to the remote peninsula, which houses about 20 monasteries and 1,500 monks, Karamanlis attended services, also viewing Byzantine treasures and an icon of the Virgin Mary that is reputed to have wrought miracles.

In addition, the prime minister planted a wild mulberry tree at a monastery entrance as a token of his respect for Athos' spiritual and earthly environment.

Under its ancient privileged status, Athos is a self-administering part of the Greek state while falling under the country's sovereignty. Spiritually, the "Holy Mountain" lies under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul.

All who live the monastic life on Athos acquire Greek citizen-ship as soon as they are accepted as novices or monks, with no further formalities.

[09] Opposition urges defense cuts for Greece, Turkey

31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"We are proposing a new foreign policy strategy that would en-sure a peace dividend from a balanced reduction in defence spending so that we could invest more money in education and health - in the social state," Papandreou told party supporters on the island of Zakynthos.

"The government has announced massive defence purchases through direct contracts. What we advocate are international tenders. We are proposing creation of a special parliamentary armaments committee to attain greater transparency and safeguard the public interest," he added.

The party leader also charged that the government had failed to deliver on election pledges across the board since taking office in March 2004.

"This is an untrustworthy and dangerous government. Behind its so-called reform lays a systematic attempt to manipulate people and institutions," he added.

[10] Gov't: Greek armed forces serve peace

NICOSIA 31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

During a three-day visit to Cyprus, Mihaloliakos visited two Greek navy vessels to congratulate their crews on helping to transport Greek and other civilians from war-torn Lebanon and carrying humanitarian aid to Beirut.

He also welcomed the hospitality shown by Cyprus in recent weeks to thousands fleeing Israeli bombing in Lebanon.

[11] Gov't represented at memorial for Makarios

NICOSIA 31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Attending the memorial service held at a monastery was Cyprus' current president, Tassos Papadopoulos, along with state and church officials.

[12] Education minister visits Patras

31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Briefing Yiannakou on the institution, which Patras holds this year, was head organizer Christos Roilos.

The minister welcomed events held for the city's one-year tenure as cultural capital.

Later in the day, she reported that one million euros had been earmarked for pre-seismic controls and asbestos removal at schools in Achaia, whose capital is Patras, as part of a 25 million euro nationwide scheme.

Yiannakou also visited a children's summer camp arranged by the European Space Organization and hosted by Patras this year.

[13] Minister outlines regional growth policy

31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Addressing an audience in Epirus, northwestern Greece, and the minister reported that funding for the region under the government's new development law was up to 55% higher than the previous legislation.

Sioufas was speaking at a world conference of Epirotes living abroad, held in the city of Ioannina.

[14] Gov't, opposition in spat over power rate hike

31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas accused PASOK leader George Papandreou of taking a damaging populist stand in criticizing the tariff hike.

PASOK spokesman Nikos Athanasakis fired back that the government itself had damaged the country by allowing high prices and profiteering and favoring a powerful minority at the expense of the public.

[15] President launches island meeting

31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Papoulias welcomed the contribution of Greeks abroad to keeping Hellenism alive.

Attendees at the meeting in Cephallonia will discuss culture and attracting investments in the two islands from ethnic Greeks.

[16] Athens mayor orders internal enquiry

31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Behrakis also urged staff to try to keep the camp running smoothly and assist authorities in their enquiries.

[17] UK national arrested for abducting girl

31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Police said the man, aged 48, was due to hear charges following the arrest on Saturday.

His underaged companion, also from the UK, has been referred to authorities specializing in the protection of minors until authorities arrange her trip home.

The girl reportedly told police that the man had promised to take her to the Indies, where they would marry and settle down.

She voluntarily left her home on July 5 to accompany the man on a holiday to Europe. The girl's mother then reported her missing to British police.

[18] Smooth sailing for island ferries

31/7/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Port authority officials have been designated to lead passengers and their vehicles to their vessels, avoiding congestion at the height of the tourist season.

Around 50 sailings were scheduled for Saturday, taking more than 60,000 travelers to the islands of the Aegean, Crete and the Dodecanese islands, authorities said.

Inspecting the port of Piraeus early in the morning was Yiannis Tzoannos, the secretary general of the merchant marine ministry, who wished tourists a pleasant journey and noted that earlier problems with sailings were being resolved.

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