President: Cyprus in talks with key players over Middle East developments

The government is in talks with the leaders of neighbouring states, the EU and US over developments in the Middle East, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Wednesday.

In statements ahead of a snap security council meeting, he specified the ‘Estia’ evacuation plan was in place and flights to Israel had been diverted to Cyprus.

Passengers had stayed overnight on the island but “it is important to look at arrivals and how we’re managing those.”

It is also important to manage any Cypriot nationals who are in Lebanon or Israel and wish to be repatriated, he said.

Greece’s Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said he had received a request from his Cypriot counterpart Vasilis Palmas to aid in evacuation efforts of some 100 Cypriot nationals in Lebanon.

They were expected to be airlifted with a C-130 within the day along with other Greek citizens.

Christodoulides said all information coming in would be constantly evaluated and Cyprus’ hosting possibilities would be assessed. The EU’s decision-making bodies will be subsequently briefed, he added.