Lebanon to intercept and return irregular migrants on boats heading to Cyprus

Lebanon has reaffirmed its intention to intercept and return irregular migrants on boats to Cyprus. Representatives from the two countries met in Cyprus on 6 October 2020.  

During the meeting, Cyproit Interior Minister, Nicos Nouris, and a representative of the Lebanese Ministry of Interior, General Abbas Ibrahim, expressed their commitment to implementing the 2002 agreement between the two countries on irregular migration. 

Between the start of July and mid-September 2020, at least 19 boats left Lebanon for Cyprus, according to UNHCR. Of those, 10 boats were reported to have arrived in Cyprus, while nine others were intercepted by Lebanese forces or pushed back by Cyproit naval. 

TMP_13/10/2020

Image Credit: Twitter/@MinInteriorCY

Image Caption: Representatives from Cyprus and Lebanon met in Cyprus on 6 October 2020