U.N. rejects leading new Cyprus reunification drive: official

The United Nations will not risk another failed initiative to reunify war-divided Cyprus but would support a homegrown bid, the U.N.'s top official on the island said Thursday.

"We have all recently heard much speculation about the possibility of a new, last-chance U.N. initiative on the Cyprus problem," said Michael Moller, the U.N. Secretary General's special representative to Cyprus.

"In fact, it has been clear for some time now, that rather than launching a new initiative, the U.N. will support good faith efforts on the part of both sides to restart talks and work for a solution," Moller said, speaking at a U.N. peacekeepers' medal parade.

Moller's remarks dampened broad anticipation of a UN-led resumption of reunification talks this year.

Cyprus has been divided along ethnic lines since 1974, when Turkey invaded in response to a failed coup by Athens-backed supporters of the island's union with Greece.

In 2004, a U.N. reunification plan was rejected by three quarters of Greek Cypriot voters. Although the majority of Turkish Cypriots approved the plan, Cyprus remained divided when it joined the European Union later that year.

Moller urged Cypriot leaders to head up reunification and not wait for the U.N.

"Is there the necessary political will among the leaders of both communities in Cyprus to sit down and negotiate seriously to find a solution, for the greater good of their people?" he said.

"The answer to that question lies, as does the key to a settlement, not with us, but with Cypriots themselves."