As messages from the neighbouring Middle East indicate that the region is heading towards another war, this time between Iran and Israel, President Christodoulides convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) yesterday.
The NSC discussed the potential implications of a new flare-up in Cyprus’s neighbourhood.
According to our sources, President Christodoulides called the NSC session to be briefed on the preparedness of various services to handle potential issues arising from a new flare-up.
Various scenarios were also discussed, including a possible strike by Iran against Israel and a simultaneous Israeli response against Tehran.
Mainly, preventive measures and other actions that the Cypriot authorities are taking or may need to take were discussed.
To avoid causing panic, shortly after announcing the NSC meeting, President Christodoulides’ associates spoke about reviewing the situation regarding migration and examining the general situation in the region.
Migration was just one aspect of the issues examined, as in the event of a new flare-up, this time towards Lebanon, increased flows towards Cyprus are expected, mainly of Syrian refugees.
At the same time, an increase in arrivals from Israel from areas that may come under Iran’s target is not ruled out.
Preventive measures taken by Cyprus also include security measures at sensitive points such as airports and ports. Enhanced measures are also being taken in diplomatic missions and other points that could be targets of attacks.
In statements after the meeting, government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis rushed to clarify that the meeting did not arise from a matter of concern, as “the role of the NSC is to continually evaluate the data as it unfolds and to have the necessary exchange of opinions regarding the evaluation of this data.”
Asked if there was a differentiation in security measures, the spokesperson responded negatively, saying that “an assessment of the data was made.”
“A presentation was made to the President of the Republic, by each competent Ministry, of the data before them,” he added.
When asked whether the Government is concerned about the possibility of a new flare-up in the Middle East involving Iran and strikes on Israeli targets in Cyprus, Letymbiotis said that the Government does not have such a concern, adding that “what we have said from the outset after October 7th (and the Hamas attack) and is the call we make internationally, is that there should not be an escalation of this crisis for the wider region.”
Asked about the way Cyprus is threatened, the Government Spokesperson said that “the entire region is threatened,” adding that “any escalation, especially in our region, is something that will affect the security of the wider region.”
“We, as the Republic of Cyprus, from the outset have made this call internationally,” while “recently we have seen, due to this situation in the region, increased migration flows,” to which “our efforts have been focused on managing,” he stated and added that “we are continually evaluating all the data daily.”
Asked if there is anything new regarding the invitation President Christodoulides extended to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to visit Lebanon, Letymbiotis said that there is nothing that can be announced, adding that “the office of the President of the Republic is constantly in contact with the offices of the President of the European Commission, it is something on the table, it is something that the President himself has announced and when there are specific developments they will be officially announced.”
