Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis on Wednesday afternoon denied that there had ever been a “suspicious object” in the skies above Lebanon, after two Greek F-16 fighter jets which were stationed in Paphos were scrambled earlier in the day.

“This morning, there was information, indications of a possible suspicious object near Lebanese airspace. All protocols, all procedures were immediately activated. Two aircraft were operational. They were operational for quite some time without detecting any suspicious object,” he told a press conference.

Later, he said that “what I can tell you is that an intensive sweep of the area was carried out, as it should have been done”.

“The response of the two aircraft was immediate, and here, the great importance and value of the assistance from the Hellenic Air Force is demonstrated, and we thank them once again,” he said.

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He also stressed that “at no stage during the day was there ever a closure of the Republic of Cyprus’ airspace”.

Instead, he said, “what was done was to provide the necessary space for the operations of the two [F-16s], resulting in two flights being held, one of which returned to its original destination”.

The pilot of the flight which returned to its destination of origin, Aegean Airlines flight 902 from Athens, had informed passengers during the flight that “due to military reasons, the airspace above Larnaca is closed”.

Letymbiotis also said that President Nikos Christodoulides had on Wednesday held a telephone conversation with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

“They proceeded to an exchange of views, a review of the regional situation as it develops. They agreed that they will also remain in close contact. They also discussed the current incident … and what they reiterated is the longstanding relations between Cyprus and Lebanon,” he said.

He was then asked if any other “suspicious activity” had been detected in or around Cypriot airspace on Wednesday, and answered in the negative.

“No, there was none. As I have told you and as we constantly repeat, all information is constantly being evaluated, there is close monitoring. Where and when there is any indication or information, as evidenced by our statement today, it will be communicated in the most official way,” he said.

Asked if more countries are considering sending forces to the island and its vicinity, following the arrival of French and Greek frigates, as well as Greek fighter jets, he confirmed that there have been “positive approaches in principle from Germany and Italy”.

He then sought to clarify that the United Kingdom’s decision to deploy a destroyer warship and two helicopters came “on the basis of their own assessment, and not at the request of the Republic of Cyprus, or by agreement”.