New recruits to be sworn in

THE Defence ministry announced that this year’s crop of National Guard recruits, the first batch who will be serving a shorter term, will be sworn in Thursday.

In Larnaca, the ceremony, which is expected to draw hundreds of proud parents, is due to take place at the GSZ stadium, in Limassol at the stadium of the Lanitio gymnasium and in Paphos at Paphiakos football stadium.

Police announced that they expect heavy traffic in all towns involved and have advised the public to comply with the instructions of officers.

This year, the recruits are the first to be inducted in the summer to serve for 14 months following a recent government decision to cut military service from 24 months.

Greek Cypriot youths used to serve up to 26 months in the National Guard, this being reduced over the years to 24, then 18 months for those enlisted last year.

The government is also recruiting 3,000 professional soldiers to plug the gap that will be created by its decision to cut military service and help with the high unemployment rate.

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