US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in the Greek capital, Athens, for a two-day official visit. Ahead of Rubio's visit, approximately 3,000 people gathered in the city to protest US and NATO policies, calling for an end to Greece's inclusion in US and Israeli military plans.
The protests began around 7:00 PM local time at Propylaea and Syntagma squares. Demonstrators chanted slogans against the US, NATO, Israel, and war, while also expressing support for Palestine. In addition to Palestinian flags, some protesters carried banners and signs reading "Rubio is not welcome in Greece" and "No to Greek participation in US and Israeli war plans."
Protest organizers announced their intention to march to the US and Israeli embassies. However, police, as part of the tight security measures implemented ahead of Rubio's visit, blocked the roads leading to the embassies with barricades and did not allow the demonstrators to proceed. Restrictions on meetings and demonstrations were also applied in civilian areas surrounding key administrative and diplomatic centers.
Greek sources reported that Rubio arrived in Greece for the 6th round of the US-Greece Strategic Dialogue, which will take place tomorrow. Regional security, energy, and cooperation between the two countries are expected to be discussed during the talks.
News Source: İHA
