Cyprus denies knowledge of CIA using its airports

NICOSIA, June 8 (Reuters) Cyprus today denied any knowledge of the CIA using its airports for secret operations moving around suspected militants, but said however that ''private American aircraft'' had used its facilities in 2004.

A human rights watchdog yesterday named Cyprus with more than 20 other states as colluding with the CIA in the transfer of suspects for interrogation.

Cyprus's Larnaca airport was identified in the report by Council of Europe investigator Dick Marty as being a ''staging point'' among seven where operations were launched, and where teams met in clusters.

''At no time has the American government informed us on the transfer or detention of terrorism suspects,'' the foreign ministry said in a statement.

It said that in seven cases in 2004, landing permissions were issued to private American aircraft which needed to refuel. The foreign ministry said airport authorities are legally and internationally bound to accept such requests.

''The Cyprus authorities had consented and gave permission for these technical landings, i.e., aircraft refuelling only,'' the foreign ministry said.

While most landings were at Larnaca, at least one of the landings was at Paphos, a smaller airport on Cyprus's west coast which has army facilities nearby.

Cyprus hosts two British military bases which were used as staging posts in operations during the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, and gave permission for American flyovers during the period. The island is known as a key listening post over the volatile West Asia.

REUTERS KD PC1914