Aleem Siddique

The UN mission in ethnically divided Cyprus said Thursday it will block construction by Turkish Cypriots of a road that would encroach on a UN-controlled buffer zone and likely raise tensions on the Mediterranean island nation.

A Greek spy watching and photographing the military bases on the Turkish Cypriot's Karpas Peninsula has been caught as he had forgotten his radio in his hotel room.

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.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci reportedly expressed their readiness Friday to resume talks in New York next month along with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The two men held an informal meeting Friday at the residence of the UN's special representative Elizabeth Spehar in the United Nations buffer zone in Nicosia.

The leaders of the ethnically divided east Mediterranean island of Cyprus are ready to meet with the UN secretary-general next month to map out possible next steps toward a resumption of formal reunification talks, officials said Friday.

Cyprus was trying to secure the release of five fishermen who were taken into custody by a Turkish warship Friday as they were fishing off the northern coast of the ethnically divided Mediterranean island nation.

UN special envoy Jane Lute will reportedly keep a low profile during her much anticipated visit on Cyprus, where she will hold separate meetings with the two Cypriot leaders.

UN press officer Aleem Siddique told CNA News Agency that Lute is not expected to make any statements to the media during her brief tour in Cyprus.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades is scheduled to meet Friday morning with the UN Secretary General's Special Representative Elizabeth Spehar ahead of his informal dinner date with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci next week.

Talks at the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana aimed at reuniting Cyprus were put on hold Wednesday morning at the request of the two sides, but are expected to resume later in the day, AFP has reported.

Talks aimed at ending the decades-old conflict on Cyprus have been temporarily suspended at the request of the two sides, but were expected to resume later on July 5, the United Nations said.

The negotiations began at the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana a week ago and have been billed as the best chance to end the island's 40-year division.