Cyprus' President meets Lebanese caretaker PM in Beirut to discuss the issue of migration скачать в хорошем качестве

Cyprus' President meets Lebanese caretaker PM in Beirut to discuss the issue of migration

(8 Apr 2024) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Beirut - 8 April 2024 1. Wide of car carrying Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides arriving, pair getting out and standing on podium 2. Various of Mikati and Christodoulides standing and listening to anthems 3. Mikati and Christodoulides walking past honour guard 4. Christodoulides shaking hands with officials 5. Mikati and Christodoulides shaking hands 6. Various of meeting between Christodoulides and Mikati 7. Various of Christodoulides meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri STORYLINE: Cyprus' president Nikos Christodoulides met with Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikatiduring a visit to Beirut on Monday. Christodoulides’ visit to Lebanon, alongside his country's interior and foreign ministers and army chief, came after he urged the European Union last week to intercede with Lebanese authorities to help stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Migration in recent years has become a priority issue between the two countries. Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, said the Lebanese military and security agencies have been doing their utmost to curb migration, but the situation was so dire that it needed “a framework agreement” with the EU. He was referring to already sanctioned migration-linked European financial packages with cash-strapped Mediterranean countries Tunisia and Egypt. Christodoulides agreed with Mikati on the importance of reaching a similar agreement with Lebanon as Cyprus, along with other European countries, has been witnessing a spike in migrant arrivals. According to the Cypriot Interior Ministry, some 2,140 people arrived by boat in Cyprus between January 1 and April 4 of this year, compared to only 78 people during that same period in 2023. The vast majority were Syrian nationals departing from Lebanon. Lebanon — which is coping with a crippling economic crisis since 2019 — hosts some 805,000 UN-registered Syrian refugees, of which 90% live in poverty, the UN’s refugee agency says. Lebanese officials estimate the actual number is far higher, ranging between 1.5 and 2 million. Many have escaped the civil war in their country which entered its 14th year. The UN refugee agency also noted the surge in migrant departures from Lebanon and confirmed that most were Syrian refugees. Lebanon and Cyprus already have a bilateral deal where Cypriot authorities would return migrants attempting to reach the island from Lebanon. A Lebanese diplomatic official familiar with Monday’s talks said that both delegations are discussing a joint proposal focused on Syrian refugees returning home. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Talks between Syrian parties to find a political solution are currently frozen. While Damascus was reinstated in the Arab League last year, the EU previously said conditions to restore ties were yet to be met. AP video shot by Fadi Tawil and Mahmad Aounti Production: Kareem Chehayeb =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...