Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides responded to the threat made by Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, who warned that Cyprus would be attacked if Israel used its airport to bomb Lebanon during any comprehensive war. Christodoulides stated, "Cyprus is not involved in wars... and does not participate in hostilities at all."
The Cypriot newspaper "Philenews" reported a statement from the president late yesterday, in which he said: "The Republic of Cyprus is not part of the problem; it is part of the solution. This role we are playing is evident, for example, through the humanitarian corridor, recognized not only by the Arab world but also by the entire international community."
The president reiterated that "our country is not involved in wars in any way, nor is it part of the problem," adding, "On the contrary, through specific actions, we are practically proving that we are part of the solution."
When asked whether there is still a communication channel with Hezbollah or the Lebanese government, President Christodoulides replied, "Of course, there is a communication channel with both the Lebanese government and the government in Iran," stating that this occurs "through a diplomatic channel."
Regarding Nasrallah's remarks, he said: "The statements are not nice, but they do not align in any way with the image being presented that Cyprus is involved in military operations, which is not the case under any circumstances."
In a televised statement yesterday, Nasrallah said: "We have information that the enemy is conducting maneuvers in Cyprus at Cypriot locations and airports, and assumes that if its airports are targeted, it will use Cypriot airports and facilities; therefore, the Cypriot government should know that opening Cypriot airports and bases for war against Lebanon will lead us to treat Cyprus as part of the war."
