Cyprus backs multi-billion electric cable link from Europe to Mideast

Cyprus will support a multi-billion euro electric transmission cable linking the power grids of Europe to the Middle East, a source close to the matter said on Tuesday.

The so-called Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) seeks to link the transmission networks of Greece via Crete, Cyprus and eventually Israel in a project costing 2.4 billion euros ($2.7 billion). As far as Cyprus, the cable is estimated at 1.9 billion euros.

The government decided to support the project at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. The level of Cyprus's participation was unclear with the source saying that would be decided later.

George Papanastasiou, Cyprus's energy minister, was due to make statements later Tuesday, an announcement from Cyprus's presidency said.

On completion, it will be the longest, at 1,240 km, and deepest, at 3,000...