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Civil Defence head Christos Kyriakides yesterday confirmed a total of 47,000 people evacuated from Lebanon had so far come to Cyprus, 41,000 of whom had already departed for their countries of preference.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency [CNA] he said that the civil defence was currently putting up 1,700 Europeans and Canadians, while 4,300 were staying in hotels or other accommodation arranged by their embassies.

Kyriakides added there were currently 245 Lebanese citizens staying in hotels. He noted that many came to Cyprus and then flew on to other destinations, and that they had not requested anything.

“When they do, we will look into the matter,” he said.

Louis Cruise Lines has also announced its cruise ship Princesa Marissa will be loaded with 70 tonnes of Doctors of the World humanitarian aid, mostly medicines, destined for Beirut.

This will be the third Louis Cruise Lines shipment of humanitarian aid to the people of Lebanon.

Two of the company’s cruise ships are participating in evacuation operations on behalf of the Canadian government, with the consent of which the aid is being shipped out.

The civil defence head said more Lebanese refugees were expected but could not give specific figures, and pointed out that if the passage for the refugees leaving Lebanon remained open, then the influx would be stable, but if the cut-off areas opened, then “things will change and there will be many people”.

Kyriakides said that the civil defence was currently hosting around 1,700 people spread out across six of its premises, and said there were times when 5,000 people were hosted.

Four of the premises are in Larnaca, and one each in the villages of Achna and Frenaros. Food and accommodation was offered in all six, he said.

“We are checking for any problems. At each place where we host the people there are civil defence officers monitoring the situation and if a health problem occurs we take them to hospital.

If the air conditioning breaks down we fix it. If some people have to be moved, we do so,” he said.

Kyriakides also said that the Red Cross was helping out with the catering at Larnaca Port.

A French Embassy press release said yesterday four warships carrying a total 2,000 French evacuees from Lebanon are due to dock in Larnaca today.

The Jean de Vienne and Jean-Bart frigates, the tank landing ship Sirocco and the helicopter carrier Mistral are expected at Larnaca port at 6am.

The first flight out of Cyprus transporting the French citizens back to Paris is scheduled for 12 noon today. A further six flights have been scheduled for tomorrow.

Finance Minister Michalis Sarris said yesterday that the Republic of Cyprus is paying up to £100,000 on a daily basis on overtime, means of transport and other expenses to serve the foreign citizens evacuating Lebanon, adding however that Cyprus can cope with this cost.

Speaking to CNA at Larnaca Port, where he visited the areas foreign citizens occupy on arrival from Lebanon, Sarris said he wanted to see “the effort Cyprus has made to help out in the tragedy that has hit Lebanon”.

“Europe has already decided to allocate to Cyprus an amount of around £3.5 million, about seven million euros, in the context of a broader aid to those taking part in these initiatives,” Sarris pointed out, adding that volunteer work has cut down the state’s expenses.

Asked what the consequences would be on Cyprus’ economy from the war in Lebanon, Sarris said the neighbouring countries would be affected.

“If there is a prolonged crisis, we will be adversely affected,” he said, adding that “for the time being our hotels have benefited from the fact that so many foreigners are passing through Cyprus and maybe the consequences will not be so significant.”

Sarris added that “in the medium term there will be positive developments because many of the enterprises based in Lebanon will choose Cyprus to be the financial centre of the region.”

He said Cyprus has many comparative advantages which will make the island stand out in the region among Cairo, Damascus and other capitals.

Meanwhil, the Cabinet yesterday approved emergency Humanitarian Assistance of $100,000 for the people of Lebanon, while the Cyprus branch of the “Doctors of the World” have escorted to Lebanon medical supplies donated by Cyprus and the Pharmaceutical companies worth $60,000.

In addition, several Cypriot NGO’s have responded immediately to the needs of the Lebanese people and are gathering humanitarian aid comprising of food, medical supplies, clothing, bedding, etc. NGO’s are coordinating with the competent Cypriot authorities for the immediate shipment of this aid to Lebanon. Cyprus’ mobilisation to send humanitarian aid to Lebanon is continuing at all levels.

Greece on Saturday sent a fresh consignment of humanitarian aid to war-torn Lebanon, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

An air force C-130 cargo aircraft left for Cyprus at noon from Elefsina military airport carrying 13.5 tonnes of aid offered by the domestic armed forces and Red Cross in a mission coordinated by the foreign ministry’s Hellenic Aid division.

On the basis of a formal request by the Lebanese government to the European Union, the consignment includes bedding, tents and food.

The humanitarian aid will be sent to Lebanon from Larnaca in Cyprus aboard a Greek Navy aircraft carrier currently in Cyprus, the defence ministry reported on Friday.