Greek Cypriot election results could hurt reunification drive, Turkish Cypriot leader says

Photo: Greek Cypriot election results could hurt reunification drive, Turkish Cypriot leader says

"It is a reality that these results, which I respect, will not contribute to the peace and solution process in coming days," Talat was quoted as saying by leading Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris.

In Sunday's elections, Papadopoulos' centrist DIKO party won nearly 18 percent - up three percent from 2001 - for 11 seats in the 56-seat legislative assembly.

Cyprus has been divided into a Greek Cypriot south - representing the internationally recognized government - and a Turkish-occupied north since 1974 when Turkey invaded in the wake of an abortive Athens-backed coup of supporters of union with Greece, the AP reports.

Greek Cypriots rejected - and Turkish Cypriots approved - a U.N. reunification plan in separate referenda in 2004, with Papadopoulos widely blamed by the international community for the 'No' vote, the AP reports.

"Papadopoulos, during the election campaign, called for the consolidation of the 'No' camp," Talat told Kibris. "The 'No' camp is now consolidated but (communist) AKEL has lost strength."