Following Hezbollah’s warning to Cyprus that they could be dragged into war if they get involved with their conflict with Israel, the EU, Lebanon and Greece have had their say.

On Wednesday Cyprus were caught off guard when Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said the island could become a target if they allowed Israel to use their airports and bases for military exercises.

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides refuted any involvement in the war and described Nasrallah’s comments as “not pleasant”.

Cyprus is the EU’s closest member state to the Middle East, and according to Reuters, the EU, Lebanon and Greece have now also weighed n.

“Any threats against our member state are threats against the EU,” an EU spokesperson said.

Lebanon’s government seem to not want any fallout from Nasrallah’s comments with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati contacting Christodoulides on Thursday.

According to a Cypriot source, Mikati thanked the Cypriot president for his measured diplomatic response and referred to him as a “dear friend”.

In a statement from Lebanon’s foreign minister Abdallah Bou Habib’s office, he also spoke to his Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos to “clarify matters” and highlight their “continued reliance” on the role Cyprus has played in regional stability.

NATO member Greece, a key ally, said Cyprus and its people had its unwavering support.

“The threat of use of violence is a flagrant violation of the U.N. Charter,” it said on X.

Officials in Nicosia have made clear they did not want to pursue the matter further while Cypriots in the capital said they have had enough to deal with from the lingering complications of Turkey’s invasion in 1974.

“Last night when I heard about the news, yes, I was worried,” said 84-year-old Filios Christodoulou.

“We have nothing to do with this war,” added 62-year-old Stella Patatini.

“On the contrary, we are helping peace in the region and assistance to the Palestinians so I feel safe in Cyprus.”

Cyprus has previously lobbied its EU partners to offer Lebanon financial assistance and has set up a maritime corridor for humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

The country has also improved ties with Israel, and the two have conducted joint military drills in recent years, while its bases, which are British, were involved in military operations in Syria and Yemen.