Cyprus deepens Israel ties... at the expense of Lebanon?

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Things seem to have changed since the February 2012 visit by PM Netanyahu to Cyprus, when Israel sought to replace its deteriorating ties with Ankara by strengthening its relations with Nicosia, according to a Beirut-based think tank.
In a comment following President Nicos Anstiades’ visit to Cyprus, the Middle East Strategic Perspectives said that “the current rapprochement between Israel and Turkey, which remains to be confirmed, offers an additional gas export option to Israel, which seems to have provoked some sort of nervousness among Cypriot officials who have multiplied visits to Israel in recent weeks. Bilateral meetings preceded the President’s official visit, focusing on energy and security issues. Energy, Trade and Tourism Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis visited Israel on 08/04, followed by a visit by Defense Minister Fotis Fotiou on 02/05. After meeting his Israeli counterpart Moshe Yaalon, Fotiou announced that the deepening of Cyprus’ defense relations with Israel poses no threat to anyone and that similar cooperation with other neighboring countries such as Greece, Lebanon or Egypt is possible. Cyprus is now considering to allow the Israeli Air Force to use its base in Paphos to patrol the Eastern Mediterranean.”
“Although securing offshore oil and gas installations and preventing terrorist attacks are the main reason behind the increased military cooperation between Nicosia and Tel Aviv, opening a Cypriot base to Israeli fighter jets is likely to provoke unease among some of Cyprus’ neighbours, including Lebanon. Added to the recent statement by Iran’s IRGC commander Major General Hossein Salami that Iran intends to stretch its “security border” to the Eastern Mediterranean, the region seems to be attracting more, not less, tension.”