Cyprus was among a number of countries named by Israel as a risk to its citizens when they travel.

An Israeli daily, Yediot Aharonot, said Israelis travelling to Cyprus faced particularly high risks of being attacked or kidnapped. Thousands of Israeli tourists visit Cyprus every year and a large number of Israelis travel to the island to be married in civil ceremonies not available in their home country.

Last week an Israeli television station warned that the Israeli Security Agency Shin bet, and its secret service Mossad had advised Israeli groups traveling abroad to postpone their plans.

"Security details at Israeli embassies and consulates have been beefed up and placed on alert. Among the countries the security establishment considers dangerous and advises Israelis to refrain from visiting are Cyprus, Venezuela, Angola, Malaysia, Indonesia and Mauritania," the television report said.

According to news agency reports from Jerusalem on Friday, Israel warned its citizens of a high risk of being kidnapped when travelling outside the country following the killing in February of a top leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah militia.

"The Counter-Terrorism Bureau warns over kidnappings of Israelis abroad, particularly businessmen and above all those who work with Arabs or Muslims," the agency said on its internet site.

The bureau urged Israelis not to travel abroad in organised tours to avoid being targeted.