National Council meeting focuses on base tragedy

THE NATIONAL Council yesterday focused its discussions on last Monday’s tragic explosion at the Evangelos Florakis naval base and what steps were being taken to deal with its devastating consequences.

Following the conclusion of the meeting, government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou expressed the National Council’s condolences to the families of the victims.

At the start of the meeting the National Council had held a minute’s silence in memory of the 13 victims killed in the blast, he said.

During the meeting President Demetris Christofias briefed the Council members about what efforts were being made to deal with the problems caused by the blast, with priority given to the electricity issue, said Stefanou.

Each political party expressed its concerns and reservations regarding a number of issues, specifically the probe into the blast. Stefanou said the president had undertaken to examine the points raised and to take advisement from Attorney-general Petros Clerides.

EVROKO leader Demetris Syllouris called for the president’s resignation. Failure to resign should result in the formation of an emergency government until Christmas, with elections in January, he said.

There was a need for a “complete, objective, irreproachable, reliable, independent investigation” which would convince the public of its reliability, said EDEK’s Yiannakis Omirou, President of the House.

AKEL’s Andros Kyprianou said the National Council members had expressed their anger over the tragedy which had resulted in the loss of lives and serious consequences to the country’s economy.

Kyprianou reiterated that an investigation was ongoing and that it would attribute responsibility where it was due. He also said now was not a time for quitting but pulling together to deal with the crisis.

DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades said questions had been raised regarding what had led to this destruction as well as a series of other questions and even objections about the Cabinet appointed investigator.

During the meeting Christofias also touched upon the latest Cyprus problem developments following the recent meeting in Geneva between UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and the leaders of both communities. Stefanou said a follow-up meeting would be held on Friday to brief the political party leaders further.

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