Cyprus leader vows to step down if peace progress fails

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias has said he won't seek re-election in 2013 if he fails to reunify the island in UN-brokered peace negotiations.

In a televised news conference Christofias said that if his key aim as president to solve the Cyprus problem is not achieved, he will not consider standing again.

He said if he fails to broker a deal with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat he would not even "think about" running at the end of his five-year term.

Both Cypriot leaders say they are committed to reaching a settlement to end 36 years of division.

But since peace negotiations were launched under much international optimism in September 2008 there have been few signs of tangible progress 70 meetings down the road.