Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-07-24

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS - THOUSANDS FLEE LEBANON

[02] US SECRETARY OF STATE - CYPRUS - ISRAEL

[03] DEMAS - CYPRUS

[04] COREPER - CYPRUS - LEBANON

[01] CYPRUS - THOUSANDS FLEE LEBANON

According to Police figures, over 35,000 foreign nationals, the majority being US, French, Swedish, British, Canadian and Australian citizens, have arrived in Cyprus since the Israeli assault on Lebanon began, with about 23,000 departing so far for other destinations.

Evacuees are arriving on ships by the thousands and are waiting at the airport for a flight out. Larnaca Airport is working at full blast, serving nearly as many passengers as large airports abroad.

Minister of the Interior Andreas Christou visited Larnaca Airport to inspect all units working there. He added that there have been some applications by Lebanese citizens seeking political asylum in Cyprus.

Christou congratulated everyone and expressed hope that peace would prevail in the Middle East.

Minister of Communications and Works Charis Thrasou said the Cypriot authorities have reached their limit in facilitating the evacuees from war-ravaged Lebanon.

Thrasou renewed Cyprus` call for more planes so that the wave of evacuees could be transferred to their destinations, relieving Cyprus which is under strain.

Meanwhile, the British High Commission to Cyprus has announced that operations to get British and other citizens out of Lebanon are reaching their conclusion.

Over the past week, Britain withdrew some 5,000 people, mostly British, from Lebanon. About 2,500 have already returned to Britain on chartered flights, while others preferred to make their own arrangements. There are still some British citizens heading to Cyprus.

[02] US SECRETARY OF STATE - CYPRUS - ISRAEL

Rice disembarked her helicopter and boarded a US administration plane destined for Israel, to attend a dinner with her Israeli counterpart.

[03] DEMAS - CYPRUS

In statements to CNA, Head of the EU`s Representation in Cyprus Themis Themistocleous said that Commissioner Demas will participate on Tuesday in a meeting with Cypriot Foreign Minister George Lillikas and the Ministrys Crisis Team to coordinate efforts regarding the Lebanon crisis.

European Commission Spokesman Jonathan Tont, has said that the Commission is examining the situation in Lebanon, together with the government of Cyprus, emphasizing on assistance to deal with the transfer of Lebanon evacuees, who are currently in Cyprus.

[04] COREPER - CYPRUS - LEBANON

According to community sources, during Tuesday`s extraordinary meeting the Ambassadors who took part expressed their gratitude to the Cypriot government for its decisive contribution towards evacuating Lebanon.

Cyprus has submitted three requests for help, namely airplanes to transport the foreign citizens back home, EU countries undertaking to host some of the evacuees in order to lighten the island`s burden, and financial assistance.

The Crisis Team of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the 348 Cypriots who were in Lebanon and wished to return to the island have been repatriated, and that only a small number of Cypriot citizens have chosen to remain there for business or personal reasons.

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