UN chief pledges help for talks to reunify divided Cyprus
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The United Nations secretary-general is promising to lend his personal support to rival Cypriot leaders continue to engage in complex talks aimed at reunifying the ethnically divided island nation.
Ban Ki-moon said the U.N. and he will personally do "our utmost" to assist Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci reach a peace deal to the decades-old problem.
Ban, who met with both leaders Sunday, called on them to "make the most" of the time ahead to overcome hurdles still impeding an accord.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He said "time is of the essence" and called the period ahead "crucial." Both Anastasiades and Akinci have said they aimed to reach a deal by year's end.
Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup that aimed at union with Greece.