Akar ups the ante as Anastasiades meets Akinci on Friday

Ahead of Friday's crucial meeting between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar issued new threats against Nicosia Thursday, saying that no one should "test our strength, our force, as the price will be heavy."

"We will keep on saying it. We will not allow Turkey's or the Turkish-Cypriots' rights to be violated. They must really understand our determination and our will," he said during a visit to the occupied part of Cyprus to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the bombing of the region of Tylliria by the Turkish Air Force at the height of the island's intercommunal clashes between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

He nonetheless insisted that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have extended their hand in peace.

"We are awaiting an answer to this hand. We hope that all relevant parties,...