Filenews 16 April 2024
The first patrols in international waters off Lebanon are being carried out today by two vessels from Cyprus, in order to stem migratory flows.
The measure is being implemented for the first time, following the agreement recently reached with Lebanon, during the visit of the President of the Republic there.
As reported to us by the Ministry of Interior, all necessary steps are being taken to address the acute problem with the flows of irregular migrants from Lebanon in consultation with the authorities of the neighbouring country.
The two vessels of the Coast Guard and the Republic patrol about 30 nautical miles off the coast of Lebanon and have already spotted the first boats and pushed them back to Lebanon, informing the authorities of the country.
Patrols in international waters are being implemented for the first time and are part of tough measures recently taken along with the suspension of the examination of asylum applications by Syrians, in order to address the problem with the increased flows that Cyprus has been receiving in recent days.
