Protesters have taken to the streets of the Cypriot capital calling for Britain to quit two military bases on the island. Around 300 people joined the action on Saturday, marching from the headquarters of the union Pasydy to the presidential palace.
Those taking part carried banners saying, "Cyprusis not your launchpad" and "British bases out". There were chants of "Say it loud, say it clear, British bases out of here". Campaign group, Afoa, which helped organise the protest, said Cypriots were being endangered by thewar between the US, Israel and Iran. The group said in a statement: "We do not accept Cyprus being a base of war."
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The protest came after adrone hit RAF Akrotirilast Sunday (March 1). It reignited debate over whether the UK should continue its presence in Cyprus.
Protester, Natasha Theodotou, told theBBC: "We just want to have an independent Cyprus... Just as we're occupied by the Turkish government we are occupied by the UK."
Under a 1960 treaty, the UK operates bases Akrotiri and Dhekelia on Cyprus, which used to be a British colony.
The UK was criticised by allies over its defence of Cyprus in the wake of the drone strike, which is believed to have been launched by Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Some argue that if the UK can't defend its bases, then the country should give them up.
The Cypriot foreign minister, Constantinos Kombos, has said there are questions as to who should control the bases.
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
