Cyprus again a sanctuary as thousands flee war-torn Lebanon

As Israeli gunships and aircraft pounded Beirut's airport and seaport along with major highways out of the Lebanese capital, the Cyprus government pledged to provide every assistance to foreign and Lebanese nationals seeking shelter on the island.

A senior government spokesman said that visa applications for Lebanese living in Europe and wishing to travel to Cyprus would be relaxed, reminiscent of the days during Lebanon's 15-year civil war, when the port towns of Limassol and Larnaca were dubbed Little Lebanon.