4 ministers quit after Cyprus' ruling coalition splits

Four ministers belonging to left-wing AKEL party resigned from the government Wednesday, a day after the party withdrew from Cyprus' governing coalition to field its own candidate in presidential elections next February.

The ministers of foreign affairs, interior, health and transport will remain at their posts until President Tassos Papadopoulos appoints replacements.

It was not immediately known when the new ministers will be named.

AKEL leader Demetris Christofias will stand in the presidential election and on Tuesday the party withdrew from a three-party coalition that had backed Papadopoulos.

The decision does not affect the date of the presidential elections or the everyday operation of the government which is run under a directly elected president.

Papadopoulos, 73, has not declared his candidacy but is expected to seek a second five-year term. He would face Christofias and conservative candidate Ioannis Kasoulides, a 59-year-old former foreign minister.

AKEL has recently criticized the Papadopoulos government, including his handling of efforts to reunite divided Cyprus under a proposed United Nations plan.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island in response to a short-lived coup backed by supporters of union with Greece.