Cypriots safe and sound in Libya

THE foreign ministry yesterday confirmed 26 Cypriots throughout Libya were safe as fighting between rebel and government soldiers broke out in Tripoli.

Around half of the Cypriot nationals, including consular staff, were in Tripoli as of yesterday while the remainder, who are mostly employees of Cypriot firms such as Pepsi and J&P construction, are in several cities around Libya.

Two Cypriot families permanently reside in the country.

According to the Foreign Ministry’s consular affairs and Schengen area crisis director Andreas Zenonos, there is a family of eight in Zawiya, two residents in Sirte, one in Tajura and one in Ubari.

All were reportedly in constant contact with the Cypriot consular staff in Tripoli, in good health and, as of yesterday, faced few problems.

“The only problem is that they are unable to circulate (around the country) because of the fighting. It is safest for them in their residences.” Zenonos said.

Asked about the families’ options to leave the country, he said: “If they express the will to be repatriated, then we will help. We are working with the EU and other embassies… No one has expressed a will to return yet.”

Regarding Cyprus’ Ambassador to Libya, Zenonos said: “We told him to stay at home and be in constant contact with all of Cypriots (in Libya).”

Cyprus’ consular services have remained in constant operation since fighting between rebels and the army in February, and the consulate reportedly had contacts with the Libyan foreign ministry up until last week.

“We will see how the situation develops,” said Zenonos.

The Cyprus Mail was unable to reach a J&P construction personnel despite several attempts.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.