Migrant crisis: 60 Syrian refugees rescued off coast of Cyprus

Refugees stranded at sea for days, face difficulties in Cyprus

Asylum seekers face delays in processing, exclusion from resettlement schemes, and clashes with residents

NICOSIA, Cyprus (Reuters) - Sixty Syrian migrants were rescued from a small boat off Cyprus on Wednesday after being stranded at sea for days, the Cypriot coastguard said.

The refugees, including women and children, were taken to a reception center in the southern port city of Limassol, the coastguard said. They had been at sea for several days and were in need of food and water.

Syrian refugees in Cyprus face a host of difficulties as they struggle to rebuild their lives torn apart by war.

Asylum seekers face delays in the processing of their applications, which can take up to two years. They are also excluded from a resettlement scheme to another EU member state, which is designed to stop any abuse of the system.

In addition, refugees have faced clashes with residents of communities in the west of the island.

The UNHCR office in Cyprus published a report on public perceptions of refugees and migrants in Cyprus, which found that there is a high level of fear and prejudice towards them.