Lebanese concerns about the "Agapinor-2022" exercise were raised on Wednesday by Israel's state broadcaster, reporting earlier in the afternoon that the Lebanese ambassador in Nicosia asked the Cypriot Defense Ministry to clarify whether the joint Cypriot-Israeli exercise includes a scenario of Israeli forces operating inside Lebanese territory.
According to the Israeli state radio, and as confirmed to CNA by a spokesperson of the Ministry, Cyprus' Defense Minister Haralambos Petrides assured the Lebanese ambassador[/B] before the start of the exercise[/B] that all scenarios of the exercise are of a defensive nature[/B] and are aimed at maintaining the readiness of National Guard personnel, adding that a detailed announcement will be issued by the Ministry of Defense at the end of the exercise.
With the participation of the National Guard and the Israeli Armed Forces
With the participation of naval, land and air assets of the National Guard and the Israeli Armed Forces, the exercise "AGAPINOR-2022" is being conducted from May 29 to June 2 in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, with the Foreign Ministry noting that it is based on hypothetical scenarios and is not directed against any other country in the region.
According to a statement by the Foreign Ministry, the exercise is part of the regular programme of Bilateral Defence Cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the State of Israel, and its purpose is to enhance the defence preparedness of the National Guard.
The statement also underlines that the exercise is based on hypothetical scenarios and is not directed against any other country in the region, while noting that Cyprus' defence capabilities are strictly defensive in nature, as the country faces a constant threat on its territory from Turkey's occupying forces and does not pose any threat to its partners in the region.
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