NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus said Saturday it’s suspending processing all asylum applications by Syrian nationals because large numbers of refugees from the war-torn country continue to reach the island nation by boat, primarily from Lebanon. In a written statement, the Cypriot government said the suspension is also partly because of ongoing efforts to get the European Union to redesignate some areas of the war-torn country as safe zones to enable repatriations. The drastic step comes in the wake of Cypriot President Nicos Christodoulides’ visit to Lebanon earlier week to appeal to authorities there to stop departures of migrant-laden boats from their shores. The request comes in light of a 27-fold increase in migrant arrivals to Cyprus so far this year over the same period last year. According to Cyprus Interior Ministry statistics, some 2,140 people arrived by boat to EU-member Cyprus between Jan. 1 and April 4 of this year, the vast majority of them Syrian nationals departing from Lebanon. In contrast, only 78 people arrived by boat to the island nation in the corresponding period last year. |
Nelly Korda 1 shot back through 36 holes at Chevron Championship as she chases 5th straight victoryTulsa athletic director Rick Dickson announces retirementWhere will IsraelSpain's EbroTeen fighter pauses near Myawaddy to talk of decision to join resistance — Radio Free AsiaPriest resigns from Michigan church after protests over his criticism of a gay authorA politician running for mayor in northern Mexico is killed, the 16th hopeful slain over June voteVideo of 2 bear cubs pulled from trees prompts North Carolina wildlife investigation but no chargesBill Tobin, a longtime NFL executive who helped build the 1985 Bears championship team, has diedNational Guard delays Alaska staffing changes that threatened national security, civilian rescues