‘No looking back’: As economy crumbles, Lebanese turn to Cyprus

About 12,000 Lebanese have moved to small island over the past year to secure livelihoods and find better economic opportunities. “If you live in Lebanon now, you’ll go crazy.” Cutting losses in Cyprus In an 80-year-old building behind the Church of Saint Lazarus, 45 year-old architect Rani al-Rajji and 27 year-old Elias Khalife are rushing to put the final touches on a new entertainment project in Larnaca, built on years of experience working in Lebanon’s once-bustling food and beverage industry. “We’re not here to change Cyprus, but we’re here to just add some Lebanese spices,” al-Rajji said smiling. “I wish I could have a life in Lebanon, I really used to like that place.” Meanwhile in Larnaca, al-Rajji is getting ready to move his family to Cyprus for Soul’s springtime launch. He says he has come across more and more Lebanese people in the Cypriot city and finds it “sad” that Lebanon’s brain drain continues to persist.