Repatriating Cypriots a ‘main priority’ amid Lebanese exodus
The government on Wednesday was bracing for heightened security measures as an all-out war in Middle East loomed, prompting diplomats to flee Beirut in boats docking in Cyprus.
Meanwhile, 105 Cypriot nationals were to be airlifted out of Lebanon by a Greek Lockheed C-130 military aircraft, as Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said repatriating Cypriots was a top priority.
President Nikos Christodoulides chaired a snap national security council at the presidential palace earlier in the day, and officials confirmed the ‘Estia’ scheme allowing third-country nationals to evacuate the Middle East through Cyprus was fully active.
One country has sought Cyprus’ assistance for the evacuation of civilians, and Cypriot authorities offered facilities to nine other countries in assisting smaller groups of people to leave, Kombos said without specifying which countries.
“At present, our priority is security in Cyprus as well as Cypriot citizens in the region. We have taken and continue to take the necessary actions for their repatriation.”
Kombos urged them to register with the relevant diplomatic missions while 12 flights diverted to Cyprus since Iran launched a missile attack on Israel on Tuesday night to avenge the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, amongst others.
As a result, the airspace in Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq and Jordan closed, leaving a total of 1,858 passengers in Cyprus.
By early afternoon, five flights had returned with 804 passengers. There are 705 passengers at Larnaca airport and 349 staying in hotels until their departure can be arranged, Kombos specified.
The minister said there are Cypriot nationals in Lebanon and Israel, who are in constant contact with the respective diplomatic missions, and a spike in requests to leave the countries.
“As the situation becomes more dangerous, so too do the requests. We are in touch with them and making the necessary arrangements to help.”
Airports are open, there are commercial flights available but there are not enough seats, hence prompting more desperate pleas, Kombos added.
Nonetheless, the government has done all of its prep work and is collaborating with Greece, along with other parties so as to evacuate citizens with a commercial flight if needed.
There may also be efforts to have individuals reach Cyprus through the ports, and military aircraft could be used.
CNA sources said six to seven boats from Lebanon were docking at Larnaca and Ayia Napa marinas every day with foreign diplomats and EU citizens.
In total 30 boats with 500 European Union or other nationals have landed in Cyprus, with flows expected to pick up over the next several days.
EU migration regulations apply absolutely, Gotsis stated, and only those evacuees who fulfil the set criteria are permitted to be transferred to Cyprus.
The Red Cross has meanwhile convened a meeting with boat owners regarding their enlistment in the evacuation effort from Lebanon. According to the CyBC foreign boat owners were allegedly charging €5,000 per head to ferry people across.
At the same time, the government said it was taking all necessary steps to ensure there were no illegal arrivals to the country.