Greek aircraft to evacuate Cypriots in Lebanon

Around 100 Cypriots may be airlifted out of Lebanon within the day, it was reported on Wedensday, with a Greek C-130 expected to carry out the mission.

Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said on X that a request had come through from his Cypriot counterpart Vasilis Palmas during a call they had.

“The Greek Air Force will provide a C-130 transport aircraft for the rescue of Cypriot nationals from Lebanon.”

The governments of Cyprus and Greece are in close contact as they watch the situation on the ground unfold in Lebanon, foreign ministry spokesman Theodoros Gotsis said earlier in the day.

Around 100 Cypriots and 10 Greek nationals are believed to want help for evacuations as flights were being cancelled and diverted due to the latest onslaught of violence plaguing the Middle East.

According to Gotsis, there are 1,000 Cypriots registered as living in Lebanon.

Iran launched its largest missile attack against Israel on Tuesday in retaliation for Israel’s campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, triggering a threat from Israel of a “painful response”.