Upset Cyprus president calls off peace talks meet

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, welcomes Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, center, prior to a dinner at the historical Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, Monday, May 23, 2016. World leaders and representatives of humanitarian organizations from across the globe are converging in Istanbul for the first World Humanitarian Summit. (Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Presidential Press Service/Pool Photo via AP) (The Associated Press)

NICOSIA, Cyprus – Cyprus' Greek Cypriot president has called off a meeting with the breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader after he attended a dinner of heads of state at the invitation of Turkey.

The government spokesman said Tuesday President Nicos Anastasiades "regretfully" called off the meeting with Mustafa Akinci scheduled for later this week in light of Monday's "unacceptable actions." He said the invitation to Akinci aimed to diplomatically upgrade the breakaway north of the island, which only Turkey recognizes as an independent state.

The dinner was held as part of the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul.

Anastasiades said he remains committed to the yearlong peace talks as long as "rules of mutual respect" are obeyed.

Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup aiming at union with Greece.