While Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has warned “no place” in Israel would be spared in case of a full-blown war against the Lebanese group, he has also threatened Cyprus for the first time, accusing it of allowing Israel to use its airports and bases for military exercises.
“The Cypriot government must be warned that opening Cypriot airports and bases for the Israeli enemy to target Lebanon means that the Cypriot government has become part of the war and the resistance (Hezbollah) will deal with it as part of the war,” Nasrallah said.
The Mediterranean island is home to two British military bases including an airbase, but they are in sovereign British territory and not controlled by the Cypriot government.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides denied his country’s involvement in the war and said it was “part of the solution”, pointing to its role in a maritime humanitarian corridor to Gaza “recognised by the entire international community”.
“Our humanitarian corridor is a testament to our commitment to peace and stability,” he said to reporters at the graduation ceremony of the University of Cyprus.
“Cyprus is not part of the problem, it is part of the solution.”
According to Cyprus Mail, in regards to potential communication channels with Hezbollah or the Lebanese government, Christodoulides confirmed that Cyprus is open to diplomatic channels with both the government of Lebanon and the government of Iran.
He acknowledged that Nasrallah’s remarks were troubling but refuted any claims suggesting Cyprus’ is involved in military operations.
“Such statements are not pleasant, but they do not reflect reality. Cyprus is not participating in any military engagements.”
This comes as last month Nasrallah mentioned Cyprus in one of his speeches, calling on Lebanon to “open the sea” so that Syrian migrants could make their way to Cyprus or other EU countries.
With AFP
