A row has erupted between the Cypriot government and the opposition AKEL party over the presence of Western forces on the island.
AKEL, the Progressive Party of Working People, issued a statement expressing concern about the “concentration of US military forces” in Cyprus, both within and outside British bases. The party warned that this heightens risks amidst the “explosive war climate” in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.
The left-wing party called on President Christodoulides’ government to reconsider its stance, arguing that by allowing US forces on the island, Cyprus is becoming “part of the problem”.
AKEL stressed that Cyprus should act as “a bridge of peace and humanitarian aid, not a launching pad for foreign armies”.
In response, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis defended the administration’s position.
He stated that the “criticality of the moment demands seriousness and sobriety”, emphasising that Cyprus’s “beneficial humanitarian role is recognised internationally”.
Letymbiotis rebuffed AKEL’s criticism, saying, “We would expect AKEL not to uncritically adopt erroneous views that aim to harm our country”. He maintained that Cyprus remains “part of the solution and not part of the problem”.
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