EU chief visits Lebanon amid Syria migrant surge to Cyprus

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is visiting Lebanon, wherever she announced an economical assistance package of €1 billion for the state connected Thursday.

The sojourn comes with EU subordinate authorities Cyprus progressively anxious astir a crisp emergence successful Syrian migrant numbers from Lebanon, conscionable 185 kilometers (100 miles) from the Mediterranean island.

For months, Cyprus has lobbied the bloc, urging it to widen assistance to Lebanon successful a mode akin to EU deals with Turkey, Tunisia, and, much recently, Egypt. Cyprus has told Brussels the fig of migrants is nary longer sustainable, and it has suspended the processing of asylum applications by Syrian nationals.

Lebanese officials had lately threatened to halt intercepting migrant boats destined for Europe unless Beirut receives much economical support. 

Von der Leyen was accompanied by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides connected the visit.

"The bonds betwixt Lebanon and Europe are heavy and strong. President Christodulides and I are present to accidental that the EU powerfully supports Lebanon and its people," von der Leyen posted connected the societal media level X, formerly Twitter. "We privation to reenforce our longstanding cooperation."

rc/sms (AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa)