Cyprus to give facilities for Dutch peacekeepers in Lebanon

Cypriot government has agreed to give facilities for Dutch forces and other personnel who are engaged in UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, a Cypriot official statement said on Tuesday.

"The Council of Ministers approved the agreement (with the Netherlands) regulates the presence and activity in Cyprus of the Dutch armed forces and other personnel, navigation in territorial waters and the use of airspace and roads by aircraft and vehicles, " the statement said.

The decision came after the Dutch embassy in Nicosia has recently requested the use of airports and other accommodations in Cyprus for their peacekeeping force.

The Netherlands participates in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and help the Lebanese government restore its effective authority in the area.

Cyprus has played a leading role as a transit hub in helping thousands of foreigners out of Lebanon during last Summer's conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah group.

The 34-day confrontation ended on Aug. 14, 2006 under the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 which called on 15,000 peacekeeping troops to join a similar number of Lebanese army troops in the south Lebanon.

Source: Xinhua