A leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot republic resigned as prime minister today – a move Turkish media said was aimed at averting a crisis over Ankara’s bid to join the European Union.

The shaky coalition governing Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus resigned today after months of confusion in the minority government following a failed referendum to reunite the divided island.

Frenzied talks on bringing peace to war-divided Cyprus reached their most critical phase today as UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan revealed his latest - and likely final – reunification plan.

The Turkish Cypriot opposition took a slim lead today in crucial parliamentary elections that could shape the future of divided Cyprus and help define Turkey’s relations with the European Union, early election results showed.