Lebanese government officials are working to uphold friendly relations with Cyprus following threats made by the militant Hezbollah group. Hezbollah warned Cyprus against allowing Israel to use its territories to attack Lebanon, sparking concerns over potential escalation in the region.
Lebanon's Foreign Minister emphasized Beirut's reliance on Cyprus for supporting stability in the Middle East. The Cypriot embassy clarified that it was not accepting visa applications for administrative updates, introducing an appointments-based system for visa applications starting Monday.
Recent tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have led to daily exchanges of fire along the Lebanon-Israel border, resulting in casualties on both sides. The killing of a senior Hezbollah commander by Israel further heightened hostilities, with Hezbollah retaliating by firing rockets into northern Israel.
Cyprus and Lebanon share a history of close relations, with Cyprus serving as a refuge for Lebanese during the civil war and economic crises. While Cyprus has strengthened ties with Israel, it has not engaged in military operations.
Hezbollah leader Nasrallah alleged Israeli military maneuvers in Cyprus and warned against Cyprus becoming involved in any potential conflict with Lebanon. Cyprus government officials denied any involvement in military operations against Lebanon, emphasizing their commitment to peace.
Some Lebanese politicians criticized Nasrallah's statements, expressing concerns over potential harm to relations with Cyprus and the European Union. The EU reiterated its support for Cyprus, emphasizing that any threat against Cyprus is a threat against all member nations.
Notably, Cyprus had previously disrupted an alleged Iranian plot targeting Israeli businessmen, underscoring regional complexities and security challenges.
