NICOSIA, Sept 21 (Askume) – Cyprus’ presidential spokesman said in a statement that he held separate phone talks with the prime ministers of Lebanon and Israel on Saturday to call for restraint amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The eastern Mediterranean island is the closest EU member to the Middle East and has good relations with both Lebanon and Israel. Cyprus spokesman Constantinos Latimbiotis said Cyprus is willing to act as a diplomatic channel to facilitate contact between the two sides.
On Friday this week, 39 people were killed and thousands injured in an explosion involving a pager and walkie-talkie in IsraelTensions between Israel and Lebanon’s main force, Hezbollah, escalated sharply. The airstrike killed 31 people, including 16 Hezbollah members.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides called Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “to express his deep concern at the growing tensions in the region,” Latimbiotis said.
“They stressed the need to immediately halt such actions that could not only escalate instability but also have broader regional consequences,” he said.
Christodoulides stressed the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy within the framework of UN resolutions and international law.
Earlier this year, Cyprus’ Latinobiotis said, “To this end, the President notes Cyprus’ willingness to remain an instrument of such efforts, as well as the engagement between the two sides based on good relations with all countries in the region.” The Gaza Strip, besieged by Israel , provides a bridge for much-needed humanitarian aid . It also said it wouldAssist in the evacuation of civilians from the area .
