Govt taking all measures for security (Updated)

The government is taking all necessary measures for security following Iran’s attack on Israel over the weekend, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Monday.

He said members of the National Security Council are in constant contact and any further developments will on the situation be announced accordingly.

Asked if there are concerns about security in Cyprus, Letymbiotis said that “current indications do not point to immediate danger.

“However, we are facing an escalation of tension in the wider region and we are taking all measures for our security,” he said.

Letymbiotis echoed President Nikos Christodoulides’ statements on Sunday, when he said the situation in Israel is “very difficult”, but stressed the island is not involved in any attacks, a reference to the use of the British bases to launch jets.

Asked if there was a chance that Cyprus would be a target, he answered “our country proves in practice that it is not involved in any way in the escalation. We do not think that we solve problems with attacks”.

Speaking after the meeting of the National Security Council, which lasted shortly over an hour, he expressed the hope that “there would be no further aggravation which would not be in anyone’s interest.

“We have reviewed the situation within and outside Cyprus and we are alert, we are monitoring the situation very carefully,” he added.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s ‘ambassador’ to the north Metin Feyzioğlu said the security of Turkish Cypriots following Iran’s attack on Israel belongs to Turkey.

“Turkey stands by the TRNC as an unconditional ally and guarantees peace and tranquillity throughout the region,” Feyzioğlu told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) on Monday.

Following an emergency ‘cabinet’ meeting convened by Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Sunday, Feyzioğlu said that there has been “peace in the region for 50 years” and praised the leadership demonstrated over the years by Turkish President Recep Tayyp Erdogan.

He also added that the Turkish foreign ministry is working for peace in the region.

“There is an extremely close cooperation between the Turkish government and the Turkish Cypriot leadership.

Tatar later called on people in the north not to worry, expressing hope that tension will decrease.

“The Turkish Cypriot people have always had a say in the matters concerning our region and want to live in peace and security,” he told Turkish Cypriot media.

“There are always unexpected developments due to the geopolitical situation, but there is no danger that will affect the safety of the people,” Tatar said.