Cypriot bank chief: Respect our independence

Cyprus’s central bank governor has said he is willing to work with the country’s government to pull the island out of its economic crisis, provided the bank’s independence is respected.

A rift between governor Panicos Demetriades, appointed last May by the communist former administration, and Cyprus’ ruling centre-right government has deepened in recent days, with pressure growing for him to resign over his handling of the crisis.

In the past week, the Cypriot parliament started an investigation against Demetriades, president Nicos Anastasiades’s government withdrew the appointment of his deputy, and three central bank officials resigned.