United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus

"The problem, like every problem in Cyprus, is political," said Colin Stewart, special representative and head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), referring to the recent halt to the UN's landmine neutralization efforts in the island's buffer zone.

Turkish Cypriot authorities have announced the continuation of road construction plans aimed at linking the ethnically mixed Pyla village in the buffer zone with the mainland, following a recent altercation with United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping forces in the region.

The assault on Friday against members of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) by Turkish Cypriots, after they attempted to block unauthorized road construction works inside the buffer zone near Pyla, "is absolutely condemnable,"the main opposition said in a statement.

UN peacekeepers on Cyprus have condemned an assault on its personnel and damage to its vehicles "by personnel from the Turkish Cypriot side" on Friday morning.

In a statement, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) said the incident took place inside the buffer zone near Pyla as its peacekeepers blocked unauthorized construction work in the area.

The UN Security Council just renewed the mandate for UNFICYP - the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus - for another year instead of for six months. The renewal comes amid controversy over the UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus, and is also occurring less than a week before the first round of presidential elections in Cyprus.

By George Gilson

The Republic of Cyprus is turning to the permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) - China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US - to brief them on Turkey's moves on the ground to re-open of the fenced-off seaside resort of Varosha (part of  the city of Ammochostos) in the Turkish-occupied area of the island, in violation of UNSC resolutions.

Turkey and Turkish Cyprus will seek to coordinate their positions concerning the future steps to be taken for resolving the Cyprus problem before 5+1 format talks as Ankara urged the United Nations to stop relying on "a tested and exhausted process" that has failed to resolve the Cyprus dispute for "more than 50 years."

The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) on Wednesday expressed concern over the "ongoing disruption" faced by residents of both sides of the island as a result of checkpoints remaining only partially open for specific groups.

A resolution renewing the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus for an additional six months is under the "silence procedure" and it is expected to be adopted on Thursday if no member breaks the silence.

The United Nations envoy to Cyprus warned on Jan. 20 of "growing skepticism" among the island's population that recent diplomatic efforts between the rival communities will herald a comprehensive peace deal.