Emergency security measures at US, foreign missions in Cyprus
NICOSIA (AFP) – Emergency security measures had been taken at the US Embassy and other key Western missions in Cyprus yesterday following the wave of deadly terror attacks in the United States, police announced. Armed police in combat fatigues were deployed at the US Embassy in Nicosia, while the police presence was stepped up at the British High Commission and Israeli diplomatic mission here. Instructions have been given to divisional police commanders to take increased security measures at all locations that might become a terrorist target, police said in a statement. Tight security and an increased state of alert were also ordered at the island’s two international airports in Paphos and Larnaca, as well as at the port of Limassol. A US Embassy spokesman told AFP it was business as usual in Nicosia. Security was also stepped up at the island’s two British bases, where 10,000 servicemen and their families are stationed. We are closely monitoring the situation, British Forces Cyprus spokesman Captain Rupert Greenwood told AFP, adding that security awareness at all military establishments has been raised. Three Tel Aviv-destined flights from Germany, Copenhagen and Ukraine were diverted to Larnaca where they refueled and returned to their original departure points following an aircraft ban by Tel Aviv. Cyprus Airways said it is still waiting for Israeli authorities to give the go-ahead for flights to commence from Larnaca to Tel Aviv, one of the airline’s top three money-makers.
