CYPRUS: There is little movement at a British Royal Air Force base in Cyprus as Western powers weigh up options for a possible strike on Syria

Record ID: 860972

  • Title: CYPRUS: There is little movement at a British Royal Air Force base in Cyprus as Western powers weigh up options for a possible strike on Syria
  • Date: 28th August 2013
  • Summary: LIMASSOL, CYPRUS (AUGUST 28, 2013) (REUTERS) GATE OF RAF AKROTIRI BASE, MILITARY VEHICLE ENTERING BASE BUILDING IN BASE VARIOUS OF AIR BASE GATE FENCE OF BASE AIR BASE PATROL VEHICLE PATROLLING AREA VARIOUS OF PLANE TAKING OFF FROM BASE AWACS PLANE PARKED ON TARMAC AT BASE HELICOPTER FROM BASE FLYING AWACS PLANE BEHIND FENCE OF BASE ANTENNAS IN BASE BUILDINGS IN BASE AIRBASE / PLANES IN BASE AIR BASE GATE
  • Embargoed: 12th September 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cyprus
  • City:
  • Country: Cyprus
  • Topics: International Relations,Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVA5RYATXSCPXS1NVF5EVQUYG4QA
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Some military air traffic could be seen at the British RAF Akrotiri base on Wednesday (August 28) but it was sparse, and could be part of general base movement.
    As world powers contemplate a strike on Syria, speculation continues over the use of a British air force base in Cyprus for any campaign but the Cypriot government said on Wednesday it has not had any requests from Britain.
    British newspapers have speculated that RAF Akrotiri, which lies on the southern coast of Cyprus, could be used.
    A spokesman for the Cypriot government said on Tuesday that Cyprus, an EU country, would decide on its participation in any campaign against Syria based on the decisions of the European Union. Cyprus has concerns over a possible influx of Syrian refugees.
    It has condemned the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
    The island, which lies some 100 kilometres west of Syria, has traditionally played a support role for military operations in the region but not for offensive purposes.
    RAF Akrotiri was used as a command centre to co-ordinate the movement of British assets in NATO military operations over Libya in 2011.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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