President discusses drone attack with Lebanese counterpart
President Nikos Christodoulides held a telephone conversation with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun following the drone attack on the British bases in Akrotiri, reportedly fired by Hezbollah in Lebanon, sources said on Monday.
The same sources told the Cyprus News Agency that so far there was no information regarding a threat against the infrastructure of the Republic of Cyprus, which had systems that could intercept both missiles and drones.
The Republic of Cyprus, they said, was cooperating with the British bases and other partners an allies to exchange information, and was assessing the situation described as being at its “peak”.
According to the same sources, Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos was not a target and could be used as a transit station for various EU and non-EU countries in order to repatriate their citizens, as in the past.
Some of these countries may be Iranian enemies, the sources said, explaining that therefore Cyprus must provide security in order to “avoid a possible unpleasant event.”
Cyprus’ airspace remains open and the situation is constantly being assessed based on information about drone activity in the area.
Some airlines have suspended their flight schedule for 24 hours based on their own evaluation of the situation.
The sources explained that if and when there was a reason to close Cyprus’ airspace, this would be done in consultation with the EU.