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Cyprus aware of Britain's intention to set up permanent task force in Mediterranean: ministry source

Xinhua, April 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

Cyprus is aware of Britain's plans to set up a permanent task force in the Mediterranean to intervene in cases of terrorist attacks in countries where British lives would be at risk, a source from the Cypriot foreign ministry said on Monday.

The source revealed on condition of anonymity the ministry had been notified the force would use the British Akrotiri Royal Air Force facility on Cyprus as its nominal base.

British military sources in London have said the actual base of the special purpose task force would be the RFA ship Fort Victoria, which is currently engaged in operations to check the influx of refugees from Turkey into the Greek islands.

The Fort Victoria will be anchored in Cyprus after its Aegean stint.

The force will also be supported by two Merlin helicopters based at Akrotiri which will transport members of the unit to and from hot spots.

Though the Akrotiri RAF base, one of two bases retained by Britain on Cyprus, is officially considered to be British soil, Britain keeps Cyprus posted as a matter of diplomatic practice on any unusual activities happening at the base.

In the past, these included support operations for NATO forces in Afghanistan, support to safeguard the no-flight prohibition during the Libyan crisis, and currently air attacks against Islamic State targets in Iraq.

The special purpose task force will be made up of about 150 Royal Marines and Special Air Service (SAS) troops, according to the British military sources.

The current British travel advice for the Mediterranean and North African states is that there is a general terrorist threat which may manifest itself in the form of indiscriminate attacks in tourist locations. Endit