Cyprus: Lebanon Halts Return of 116 Syrian Migrants

Cyprus is currently engaged in negotiations with Lebanon concerning the return of 116 Syrian migrants who were saved off the coast of Cyprus after Lebanon initially refused to accept them. The migrants, who were in distress at sea, had left Lebanon aiming for Europe and were picked up by Cypriot authorities in international waters, roughly 30 nautical miles from Cyprus. Despite a standing agreement between Cyprus and Lebanon for the return of irregular migrants, the Lebanese authorities did not allow the rescued Syrians to disembark when they were escorted back.

Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou of Cyprus reported that the rescue operation was initiated after Lebanese authorities alerted Cyprus. However, upon attempting to return the migrants, they were not permitted to enter Lebanon. Ioannou emphasized Lebanon’s significant challenge with migration and noted that ongoing discussions were taking place to resolve the situation. The current whereabouts of the migrants have not been disclosed by Cypriot officials.

This incident has spotlighted the migration pressures faced by Cyprus, the EU member state closest to the Middle East, and the complications arising from the current geopolitical tensions, including the impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Lebanon’s capacity to control its borders and manage migration flows. Cyprus, which has a high number of asylum seekers relative to its population, asserts that the return of migrants under its agreement with Lebanon is lawful and seeks to address the issue through diplomatic channels.