Gunmen live it up at seaside retreat
Tourists staying at a Cypriot sea front today found themselves with a dozen unexpected guests - swarthy Palestinians the Israelis regard as senior terrorists.
Holidaymakers at Larnaca’s three star Flamingo Hotel saw the men ushered in to the lifts by armed guards just after lunch.
The men, exiles from Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, will stay in the hotel under guard until at least Monday, when the EU is to decide which countries will take them.
Guests may have been surprised at the sudden appearance of the Palestinians, and the TV crews that followed them, but the Flamingo management said it was business as usual.
Hotel manager Anthonis Josephides said the Palestinians would be constantly under police supervision on the third floor, and would not be allowed visitors.
‘‘The hotel is functioning normally,’’ he said.
As he spoke, tourists mingled with journalists and Cypriot policemen on the ground floor balcony.
The rooms the militants will enjoy at the Flamingo are a far cry from the basilica in Bethlehem where they have spent the last 39 days under siege.
Conditions deteriorated quickly in the church, but at the Flamingo, the gunmen can enjoy full breakfasts, a sea view and satellite television.
But, as Muslims, they were not expected to dip in the mini-bar that each room boasts.
However they may take advantage of the gym, sauna and even the hotel’s folk dancing nights.
The hotel says all 64 rooms are fully air-conditioned and tastefully furnished, and have a bathroom, telephone, radio, satellite TV, hair dryer, mini bar and a sea view balcony.
The Cypriot authorities appeared anxious not to allow their hosting of the Palestinians to interfere with the hundreds of thousands of tourists that visit the island each year.
Security at Larnaca airport was discreet until moments before the RAF Hercules touched down with the men. The hotel transfer took no more than hour.
Thirteen ‘‘most wanted’’ men were flown to the Mediterranean island from Israel this morning.
One of the militants, who was shot in the leg, was treated by British doctors on the plane, and was transferred to Larnaca hospital on arrival.
The Flamingo is described as a modern, three star establishment.
Located facing the Mackenzie beach, facilities include a gym with sauna, a swimming pool, conference room and games room.
