A session of the National Council convened on Monday, under President Demetris Christofias, amidst developments concerning the deadly blast at the naval base “Evangelos Florakis”, in Mari, on July 11.

Following the conclusion of the meeting, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou expressed the National Council’s condolences to the families of the victims.

He added that participants at the session held a minute’s silence in memory of the victims, before the start of the National Council.

Moreover, Stephanou confirmed that Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Kyprianou has already stated to the President his intention to resign, in relation with the events at Mari.

AKEL Secretary General Andros Kyprianou and DIKO President Marios Garoyian confirmed the Foreign Minister’s resignation, in statements following the session.

The massive explosions occurred at the Naval Base “Evaggelos Florakis”, near Limassol, the previous Monday.

Thirteen people were killed by the huge blast which rocked nearby communities and caused extensive damage. Nearby Mari village suffered most of the damage.

The blast occurred in the containers, full of munitions, which Cyprus had confiscated from “Monchegorsk“, a vessel sailing from Iran to Syria in 2009.