Government rejects claims of multiple attacks after Macron remarks

The government said on Tuesday that there had been no attacks against the republic, clarifying comments made by French president Emmanuel Macron following his visit to the island a day earlier.

Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said reports suggesting Cyprus had been targeted by drones and missiles were inaccurate.

“You understand that there is no such thing. This is what we have said from the very beginning,” he said during an appearance on Sigma TV.

Macron had earlier said that “when Cyprus was attacked, all of Europe was attacked” during remarks at the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos on Monday, where he met President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Letymbiotis stressed that no attack had been directed at the Republic of Cyprus itself.

“We have not had any attack or indication or attempt against the Republic of Cyprus so far. All incidents to date have targeted the British bases,” he said.

He explained that two security incidents had occurred near the British bases at RAF Akrotiri, including the interception of a drone and another incident the following day.

According to the government, both originated from the Lebanon with Hezbollah the likely instigator.

Despite the clarification, Letymbiotis said the current crisis had demonstrated the practical value of Cyprus’ strategic partnerships with European states.

He commended the rapid response from partners including Greece, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.

“For the first time we are now seeing in practice what for years may have seemed theoretical,” he remarked, referring to Cyprus’ strategic defence partnerships with European partners.

He added that the simultaneous visit of Macron and Mitsotakis to Cyprus had sent a strong political signal of support.

“The presence of the Greek prime minister and the French president together sent exactly this message,” he said.

Letymbiotis also emphasised that all measures taken by Cyprus and its partners are preventive in the context of a wider regional crisis, adding that the country remains committed to “calm and responsible management” of the situation.