Greece rules out role in any military intervention in Syria

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Greece's political leadership on Tuesday dismissed speculation of a Greek role in a possible military intervention in Syria.

Greece is a "bastion of stability and security in a region set ablaze," Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras told the media after a meeting with Greek President Karolos Papoulias.

Neither Samaras nor Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos commented on reports in Greek newspaper Kathimerini that the U.S. requested to use military bases in Greece for a possible attack against Syria.

"We strongly condemn any use of chemical weapons," Venizelos said, adding Greece was "preparing from every perspective" and was in contact with its counterparts in European and Arab countries regarding the issue.

Meanwhile, Greek Defense Ministry sources strongly rejected the possibility of involvement in any military action in Syria.

"Washington never submitted officially or unofficially any such request for Greek assistance," Defense Ministry officials said speaking anonymously to media.

According to reports, Washington had asked Greece for the "green light" for U.S. military aircrafts and vessels to use military bases in Kalamata in the southern Peloponnese peninsula and Souda on the island of Crete.

In 2011, during NATO's military intervention in Libya, Greece did not play an active role, but allowed the use of military bases by air and naval forces during the operation.

Greek officials stressed its armed forces would be mobilized only to evacuate Greek nationals from the region if deemed necessary, as it did in Libya. Endi

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