Cyprus Suspends Syrian Asylum Applications Amid Increase in Migrants

Cypriot authorities announced on Sunday that they have suspended the consideration of asylum applications submitted by Syrians following a sharp increase in the number of illegal migrants this month. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides told reporters, "This is an emergency measure, and it is a tough decision to protect Cyprus's interests." Christodoulides visited Lebanon last week and is in contact with the European Commission regarding how Brussels can assist Beirut in stopping these flows. Lebanon, which is suffering from a severe financial crisis, hosts hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees.