Latest Cyprus government News
UN refugee agency tells Cyprus to stick to the law in its efforts at sea to thwart refugee boats
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The United Nations' refugee agency said Friday that Cypriot efforts at sea to stop numerous Syrian refugee-laden boats departing Lebanon from reaching the European Union-member island nation mustn’t contravene international human rights laws or put passengers at risk. ...
Cyprus suspends processing of Syrian asylum applications as boatloads of refugees continue arriving
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus said Saturday it’s suspending processing all asylum applications by Syrian nationals because large numbers of refugees from the war-torn country continue to reach the island nation by boat, primarily from Lebanon. In a written statement, the Cypriot...
Cyprus president and Lebanese caretaker premier urge EU financial aid to curb migration from Lebanon
BEIRUT (AP) — The Lebanese caretaker prime minister and the Cypriot president are calling on the European Union to provide financial support to help cash-strapped Lebanon stop migrants from reaching European shores. President Nikos Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut Monday,...
Cyprus president asks EU Commission chief to get Lebanon to stop migrants from leaving its shores
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The president of Cyprus said on Tuesday that he has personally asked the head of the European Union’s executive arm to intercede with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. President...
Cyprus minister says a proposal to set up safe zones in Syria for refugees to return is advancing
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — A Cyprus government proposal to enable repatriations of Syrian refugees by designating specific areas within the country as safe zones is “gaining ground” among the island nation's fellow European Union member states, the Cypriot interior minister said Friday. ...
How the US military is scrambling to build a floating dock for urgently needed aid to Gaza
WASHINGTON (AP) — Even before President Joe Biden announced in his State of the Union address the plans for providing aid to Gaza by sea, the Army’s 7th Transportation Brigade and other units were scrambling to pull equipment together. They received their orders before the...
2 Lebanese men ordered detained for bringing 146 Syrian refugees to Cyprus by boat
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — A court in Cyprus on Saturday ordered two men to remain in police custody for six days on suspicion of people smuggling. The men were identified as the drivers of two boats that brought 146 Syrian refugees and one Lebanese migrant to the east Mediterranean island nation. ...
Cyprus president wants the European Union to discuss designating Syria safe zones for refugees
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The European Union won't serve its own best interests if it doesn’t consider designating some parts of Syria as safe zones so refugees and migrants can return there, the president of Cyprus said Monday. President Nikos Christodoulides said Cyprus is...
Cyprus president makes government ministers sign a pledge not to tolerate sexual harassment
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus' president on Friday required all government ministers to sign a “zero tolerance” declaration on sexist behavior and sexual harassment among employees and anyone visiting a government office. Cyprus already has stringent laws against sexual...
UN urges rivals in Cyprus to de-escalate tensions and seize opportunity to restart negotiations
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Tuesday to extend the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Cyprus for a year and urged all parties including rival Green Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to take steps “to de-escalate tensions in and around the buffer zone” dividing the...
