UN experts clear Ledra of mines
A team of experts of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP) began sweeping the area in the buffer zone, at Ledra street, one of Nicosia's main commercial streets, dividing the Turkish and Greek areas of the republic.
UN sources have said that a six member team is on site, wearing special uniforms and trying to locate mines and remove them to ensure safe passage for pedestrians, once the crossing point opens.
The work is a first step in efforts to see if Ledra street can open. The procedure is expected to be completed within the day, Euronews reports.
The opening of a crossing point at Ledra street was decided by Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat on 21 March during their first meeting since the former assumed the presidency of the republic.
Cyprus has been divided and some 17 thousand mines have been planted since 1974.
UN sources have said that a six member team is on site, wearing special uniforms and trying to locate mines and remove them to ensure safe passage for pedestrians, once the crossing point opens.
The work is a first step in efforts to see if Ledra street can open. The procedure is expected to be completed within the day, Euronews reports.
The opening of a crossing point at Ledra street was decided by Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat on 21 March during their first meeting since the former assumed the presidency of the republic.
Cyprus has been divided and some 17 thousand mines have been planted since 1974.
