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Greece

Cyprus sends 30 firemen to fight forest fires in Greece

NICOSIA, Aug 26, 2007 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Cyprus has sent 30 firemen and six mobile firefighting units to Greece to assist their "fraternal Greek people" in fighting the disastrous forest fire, which has claimed 52 lives.

All the firemen and mobile units were transported on board C- 130 military transport planes and deployed to eastern Greek island of Euboea, one of the areas facing the worst fires, Justice and Public Order Minister Sophoclis Sophocleous told Cypriot media on Sunday.

After Greece declared a nationwide state of emergency on Saturday, many European Union countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Holland began sending firefighting aircraft to Greece.

Cyprus, a tiny Mediterranean island state which has always received assistance from neighboring Greece in putting off its own forest fires, this time offered its own help.

"At this dramatic time, the Hellenism of Cyprus is participating in the deep mourning of the fraternal people of Greece and expresses its wholehearted support," Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said in a message on Saturday.