Cypriot Authorities Prepare to Evacuate Up to 100,000 People from Lebanon

Cyprus Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos has announced that up to 100,000 people could be evacuated from Lebanon through Cyprus. The government is preparing for "all possible scenarios."

In an interview with CyBC, Kombos stated that authorities are in constant contact with other countries and diplomatic missions based in Cyprus.

The minister noted that while the number of evacuees is expected to be less than 100,000, many will use the island as a temporary stopover and will only stay for a few hours. He reminded that in 2006, Cyprus facilitated the evacuation of 60,000 people from Lebanon.

Kombos expressed hope that ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip could lead to positive outcomes, helping to prevent further escalation in the region.

Deputy Minister of Migration Nicholas Ioannidis has previously stated that Cyprus is prepared to manage an influx of migrants if the situation in the Middle East worsens.

It’s important to note that the governments of Canada and Cyprus have previously agreed on emergency evacuation procedures to address life-threatening situations arising from the escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed all diplomatic missions that the Estia plan for repatriating third-country nationals has been activated. Cyprus is ready to assist with any requests for evacuation from the Middle East via the island.