Cyprus and Greece on the Lebanese side | Special Unit missions in Beirut – Photo

Defence Redefined

05/08/2020

A Disaster Response Special Unit team as well as members of the Emergency Response Unit depart at 14:00 with two police helicopters for Beirut, Lebanon to help locate the wounded and missing.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Christodoulidis, pointed out that the Republic of Cyprus accepted a request for assistance from the Lebanese government and the services were immediately mobilized.

With the two helicopters, trained tracking dogs will be transported to Beirut, while at 13:30, a meeting will be held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with all the competent services.

Εντός των επόμενων ωρών μεταβαίνουν στον Λίβανο 2 ελικόπτερα της Αστυνομίας για συμβολή στις έρευνες για εντοπισμό επιζώντων. Μεταφέρονται 8 σκύλοι ιχνηλάτες με τους χειριστές τους, από Αστυνομία και ΕΜΑΚ. pic.twitter.com/3vAxsXCgkh

— Αστυνομία Κύπρου (@Cyprus_Police) August 5, 2020

At the same time, Cyprus will send medical equipment and medicines to help Lebanon, Lebanese Ambassador to Cyprus, Claude El Hajal, told CNA, noting that the authorities of the two countries are in constant communication after the expression of Cyprus’ readiness to offer assistance to the neighboring country.

In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it is planning a chartered flight for the immediate return of Cypriot citizens and legal residents of the Republic of Cyprus from Lebanon tomorrow.

According to the announcement, those directly interested are invited to register (if they have not already registered) on the platform www.connect2cy.gov.cy until 05/08/2020, at 22:00 local time, stating their desire to return to Cyprus or otherwise to contact 22801000 (09: 00-16: 00).

It is noted that due to the situation prevailing in the country, passengers will not need to register at www.cyprusflightpass.gov.cy or to submit a negative COVID-19 test in advance. The check will be carried out upon their arrival in Cyprus.

Also read: Breaking News | Huge explosion at the port of Beirut – Felt in Cyprus – VIDEO

On its part, Greece would send a fully equipped search and rescue team from the Fire Service, which departed this morning, on a C-130 military aircraft, for Lebanon, by order of the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in consultation with the Deputy Minister of Political Protection and Crisis Management, Nikos Hardalia. The team will participate in the search for survivors.

The aid was sent quickly, with the country responding immediately to a request from the Lebanese government through the European Civil Protection Mechanism.

The team sent to Lebanon consists of a special team of the 1st D.R.S.U. (based in Elefsina), consisting of 12 people and a rescue dog, two vehicles and special equipment.

The Chief of the Fire Service, Lieutenant General Stefanos Kolokouris, visited the staff of the Special Unit of the Fire Service at the military airport of Elefsina, talked to them before leaving for Beirut and wished them strength in their mission.

Finally, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection is in constant contact with both the Lebanese Authorities and the European Civil Protection Mechanism for further assistance and support, if needed.

Greek citizens can contact the Embassy of Greece at 00961 78990315 and 00961 81507061, as well as the Crisis Management Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at +30210368 1730 and at the e-mail address: [email protected].

With information from: CNA