Visiting EU Commissioner for Environment Stavros Demas pledged here on Tuesday that European Union (EU) and Cyprus will jointly handle the possible influx of Lebanese refugees.

Demas, who arrived in Cyprus Tuesday and is responsible for Civil Protection in the EU, said that the fundamental principle of solidarity and apportioning responsibilities among EU member states will be implemented in the event Cyprus receives from Lebanon.

His remarks were made after a meeting at Larnaca Port with Cypriot and EU officials to examine the situation following the influx of foreign nationals from war-ravaged Lebanon. The European Commissioner also said that the main solution to the problem that has ensued with the mass exodus of people from Lebanon would be to immediately stop the hostilities and create conditions of safety in the country.

During the meeting, Cyprus Minister of the Interior Andreas Christou said that Cyprus has proved that it can handle crises in the region, adding that, however, its capabilities are limited. Christou said that Demas was informed on the action undertaken by Cyprus in handing the situation and transferring 40,000 citizens from Lebanon through its ports and airports, coordinating services, cooperation with foreign embassies in Cyprus and EU missions.

The Cypriot Minister added that the humanitarian aid will be transported as soon as possible, saying that Cyprus has also received a small number of injured persons, who are receiving treatment.

The main request of the Cypriot government is the prompt arrival of planes to transport the evacuees arriving by sea, without delay, to their final destinations, according to the minister.

Meanwhile, the EU Commissioner explained that the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is informing member states and is coordinating offers from EU countries, so that planes can arrive in Cyprus on time to transfer their citizens out of Cyprus.

The Commissioner also said that Cyprus' contribution is notlimited to evacuating EU and third country nationals from thedanger zones in Lebanon, but extends to transporting humanitarianaid to Lebanon and other countries such as Syria, where thousandsof people have sought refuge.

Demas and Christou toured the areas where foreign nationals are being welcomed on their arrival at Larnaca Port and then inspected the temporary shelters for evacuees at Larnaca schools. Barely 200 kms by sea from Lebanon, Cyprus has become the central hub for the evacuation effort, with both Limassol and Larnaca ports daily admitting thousands of people seeking to flee embattled Lebanon.

Until Tuesday, over 40,000 foreigners have arrived in Cyprus from Lebanon since the start of the Israeli offensive on Lebanon on July 12, according to official figures.