UN calls unauthorized construction by Turkish Cypriots a violation of the status quo on Cyprus

The UN Security Council on Monday called unauthorized construction by Turkish Cypriots inside the UN buffer zone dividing Cyrus a violation of the status quo that is contrary to council resolutions and it condemned their assault on UN peacekeepers.

The council statement was issued after emergency closed consultations by its 15 members. It followed criticism of the UN peacekeepers for blocking construction earlier Monday by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Turkey's capital, Ankara, Erdogan called the UN action "unacceptable" and accused the peacekeeping force of bias against Turkish Cypriots. He said Turkey would not allow any "unlawful" behavior toward ethnic Turks on Cyprus.

Cyprus was divided into a Turkish-occupied entity in the northern part of the island and an internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south in...