Cyprus united 'by end of 2008'

The decades-long division of Cyprus could be resolved by the end of the year, the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots said today.

"I believe that it won't be a surprise if we solve the problem by the end of 2008," said Mehmet Ali Talat, a day after Dimitris Christofias won Cyprus' presidential election on a pledge to restart stalled talks to reunify the island.

Cyprus has been divided into a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north and a Greek Cypriot south since 1974, when Turkey invaded in the wake of a coup attempting to unite the island with Greece.

Decades of diplomatic efforts to heal the rift on the island have failed to resolve the problem. Talks have been stalled since Greek Cypriots rejected a UN reunification plan in 2004. Turkish Cypriots approved the blueprint.

Mr Christofias' election yesterday, after the removal of hard-line Tassos Papadopoulos in a surprise first round election result last week, has sparked hope for eventually resolving the division.

"The Greek Cypriot people decided on change. They chose a person who can make that change," Mr Talat said.

Mr Christofias has pledged to meet with Mr Talat, although a date or venue has yet to be set.

Mr Christofias said today he hoped it would be soon

"Naturally, the UN will be involved as usual, and I believe that soon we will arrange a first exploratory meeting," he said.