Cyprus' decision to suspend the examination of political asylum applications by Syrian refugees, constitutes executing a 'plan b' drafted by authorities to face the soaring influx of Syrian refugees seeking asylum in Cyprus, reliable sources said on Sunday. The sources said that the move is legitimate under the EU law and that the Cypriot authorities have notified the competent General Directorate of the European Commission. Nicosia proceeded with this action until the EU would consider the designation of certain areas of Syria as safe, paving the way for the rejection of asylum applications and possible returns. Furthermore, Nicosia will coordinate with other member-states agreeing with Cyprus' position over the designation of areas of Syria as safe with a view to hosting a conference in Cyprus over the issue. Cyprus, the closest EU member-state to the Middle East is facing soaring arrivals of Syrian refugees by boat from Lebanon, which is believed to host over 1.5 million Syrian refugees. Based on data provided by the Interior Ministry, total arrivals (both from the buffer zone and sea routes) amounted to 3,681 year to date, marking a small increase compared with 3,522 in January - April 2023. However, arrivals on board vessels from Lebanon have skyrocketed reaching 2,698 until April 13, compared to just 180 in the respective period of last year. Until and including April 13, arrivals by sea amounted to 703 persons, whereas throughout April last year arrivals were a mere 102 persons. Authorities believe that the steep increase in arrivals is also driven by the escalation of the crisis between Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel which began on October 7 last year. Nicosia is considered as an attractive destination and these measures aim to create a counter-incentive the same sources added, noting they have charted additional measures which could be announced as the situation unfolds and based on a cost-benefit analysis. Source: Cyprus News Agency