Cypriots demand Britain LEAVE military bases in new territorial dispute

"Say it loud, say it clear, British bases out of here," the crowd chanted during the march through Cyprus's capital.

Participants brandished placards bearing messages including "Cyprus is NOT your launchpad" and "Stop the war."

Though modest in size, the demonstration was described as vocal and determined.

Natasha Theodotou, a local business owner carrying a "British Bases Out" banner, told the BBC: "We just want to have an independent Cyprus... Just as we're occupied by the Turkish government we are occupied by the UK."

The demonstration followed a drone strike on RAF Akrotiri last Sunday, an incident that has intensified long-standing questions about Britain's military footprint on the island.

Cyprus's foreign minister, Constantinos Kombos, has urged dialogue between London and Nicosia regarding the future of the installations.

"Right now we have the British bases on the island. There are questions. There are issues. There are concerns," he told BBC Newsnight.

Mr Kombos confirmed to the Guardian that the Iranian-made drone had been launched from Lebanon, where Hezbollah and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps units are based.

Two additional combat drones were intercepted off the island's coast within 12 hours of the initial attack, both also originating from Lebanese territory.

Critics argue that if Britain lacks the capability to defend its own facilities, it should relinquish control entirely.

The bases at Akrotiri on the southern coast and Dhekelia in the east are seen by opponents as making Cyprus vulnerable to the expanding Middle East conflict.

Nico Panayiotou, who led Saturday's protest, expressed his opposition to the military presence.

"We want the British out of the bases. We believe they put Cyprus in danger," he said.

"We don't want the island used as a launchpad for military attacks. Cyprus has always been known as 'the unsinkable aircraft carrier'."

He noted the island had served allied operations targeting Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Syria and Yemen.

Demonstrators have drawn encouragement from the Government's decision to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

"The case of the Chagos Islands shows that if there's pressure then things can change," Mr Panayiotou said.

Fellow protester Matthew Stavrinides described the bases as having been "given under duress to the British when we gained independence in 1960."

Sergio Velarde, a Mexican resident of Cyprus for six years, told The Telegraph: "It's not fair that the British still have these bases. It's a form of colonialism. It's very weird."

Sentiment near the RAF Akrotiri base itself stands in stark contrast to the capital's protests.

Giorgos, proprietor of George's Fish and Chips, which caters to British military personnel, expressed unwavering faith in the UK's defensive capabilities despite hearing the drone explosion early Monday morning.

"I have 100 per cent confidence in Britain's capability to defend the base," he said. "Things are back to normal now though. I'm not concerned."