Nicosia, Cyprus. The bicommunal peace initiative United Cyprus held two events on Tuesday ahead of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ visit to the island, calling for federation and supporting UN efforts.
Civil society organisations, political party representatives and individuals from both communities participated in the events.
Events at Ledra Palace and Nicosia airport
The first event was a demonstration supporting federation outside the House of Cooperation in the buffer zone at Ledra Palace on Tuesday morning.
A second event organised by United Cyprus in support of Guterres’ efforts was scheduled to begin at 6.30pm at the entrance to Nicosia airport.
Parallel gatherings in the north
A parallel event was scheduled at the roundabout near the Agios Dometios crossing in the north.
Another group supporting a solution and peace was expected to gather as Guterres’ motorcade passed the Ledra Palace roadblock towards the north. The gathering involved people from unions and other organisations at the initiative of a Turkish Cypriot association that usually welcomes UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin during her visits to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman.
A separate demonstration near the roundabout by the new “presidential” building in the north drew a small turnout, according to Turkish Cypriot media. Another group gathered at a central junction, waving Turkish flags and flags of the north.