UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday urged leaders of divided Cyprus to return to the negotiating table and clinch a deal on reuniting the island, saying "they must not let this historic opportunity slip".
Ban said he will be in contact soon with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to discuss the next steps with just five weeks to go before the UN chief hands over to Antonio Guterres to lead the world body.
"The secretary-general urges the leaders to continue their efforts in line with their shared commitment to do their utmost in order to reach a settlement in 2016," said a statement from Ban's spokesman.
"Especially in a region and in a world marked by increasing tension, they must not let this historic opportunity slip," he added.
UN-brokered talks held in Switzerland this month ended on Tuesday with no agreement, with the two sides still far apart on the key issue of land-for-peace.
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