Cyprus prepared to receive Syrian refugees

Over 200,000 have fled to Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey since outbreak of violence

5 July 2012, 7:06 pm Edit
Newly arrived Syrian refugees, who fled the violence in their country, demonstrate at the border in Reyhanli, Turkey in March. (photo credit: AP)
Newly arrived Syrian refugees, who fled the violence in their country, demonstrate at the border in Reyhanli, Turkey in March. (photo credit: AP)

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — President Dimitris Christofias says Cyprus has drawn up contingency plans to receive a possible influx of evacuees from Syria if necessary.

Christofias says he’s concerned how the situation will unfold in Syria, where opposition activists say more than 14,000 people have been killed since an uprising against President Bashar Assad’s regime began 16 months ago.

He said Thursday that Cyprus is ready to offer shelter and food to evacuees, as it did in 2006 when tens of thousands of people fled Lebanon during the month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah.

More than 200,000 Syrians have so far fled the country overland, seeking refuge in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

Cyprus lies only 64 miles (103 km) west of Syria.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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