Israeli and Cypriot government officials have made cautious comments about two Israeli men who were remanded in custody for a week by a Cypriot court on Saturday on suspicion of spying.

The Cypriot ambassador to Israel Euripides Evriviades said there was no conclusive evidence yet against the men, but the possibility they were working on behalf of Turkey was also being investigated.

A spokesman for the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, said Israel was clarifying the issue and would respond when details are confirmed.

The Israeli foreign minister, Ariel Sharon, told Israeli army radio this was not an issue to be handled through the media.