Greek Cyprus, which rules the south of the divided island of Cyprus, has agreed to create an electronic land monitoring and intelligence system with Israel. The system will be built along the UN Buffer Zone, often known as the Green Line. The Greek Cypriot government made the announcement yesterday.
The Israeli International Defence Cooperation (SIBAT) and the Cypriot Ministry of Defence inked the agreement. The surveillance system, which will assist monitor the entry of illegal immigrants and smuggling activities along the dividing line, will be created by Israel"s Elbit Systems as part of a three-year deal costing $32 million, according to Greek Cypriot Defence Ministry spokeswoman Christos Pieris.
The electronic surveillance system will be positioned at various sites along the 112-mile-long Green Line, generate photos 24 hours a day and collect military intelligence. The installation is projected to take three years. However, once the equipment is put at a specific site, that location will become operational.
Since 1974, the UN-managed Buffer Zone has divided Turkish and Greek Cypriots.
Israel has a similar system in monitoring its separation barrier with Palestine.
