Cyprus confused by Hezbollah threats

(Patria) - Cyprus reacted with disbelief yesterday to warnings from Lebanon's Hezbollah that the island could be drawn into conflict if tensions with Israel escalate into a full-blown war.

Cyprus, the EU member state closest to the Middle East, was taken aback by comments from Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday that the island could be targeted if it allowed Israel to use military facilities in Cyprus in the event of an attack on Lebanon.

"The Republic of Cyprus is not involved in any way in a war conflict," responded Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, describing Nasrallah's comments as "unpleasant".

An EU spokesperson also weighed in, saying that "any threat to a member state is a threat to the European Union".

The Lebanese government appears to be trying to contain the potential fallout from Nasrallah's comments.

Caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati contacted Christodoulides yesterday to thank him for his measured diplomatic response, calling him a "dear friend", a Cypriot source said.

Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib also spoke with his Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos to highlight Lebanon's "continued reliance" on the role Cyprus has played in regional stability, his office said.

A Lebanese diplomatic source told Reuters that the two had spoken "to clear the air" but did not elaborate on how Lebanese officials had specifically addressed Nasrallah's threats.

Officials in Nicosia have made it clear they do not wish to discuss the matter further.

Greece, a NATO member and key ally, said Cyprus and its people had its unwavering support.

"The threat of the use of violence is a gross violation of the UN Charter," it posted on X.

Cyprus has always considered itself above Middle Eastern politics and offered refuge to tens of thousands of Lebanese fleeing the civil war of the 1970s and 80s.

It has lobbied its EU partners to offer financial aid to Lebanon and recently established a maritime corridor to send humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza facing starvation.

But this is also happening in the context of Cyprus's improved ties with Israel and the more visible involvement of British sovereign bases on the island in military operations in Syria and, more recently, Yemen.

Israeli air forces are also known to conduct exercises in Cypriot airspace, and the two countries have conducted joint military drills in recent years.