Peace talks on Cyprus to restart

The Cypriot president and the Turkish Cypriot leader have agreed to resume talks on reunifying the island. The deal was struck at a meeting between Demetris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat in Nicosia - the first such high-profile talks since 2006.

The two men also agreed to reopen a key crossing in the divided capital.

"This is a new era we are starting for the solution of the Cyprus problem," Mr Talat said after the meeting in a UN buffer zone near the abandoned Nicosia airport. "We shall try our utmost in order to come to an agreed solution for the interest of the Cypriot people, both communities, as soon as possible," President Christofias said.

In a joint statement, the leaders said they agreed that advisers from both sides would meet next week to set up groups to work out detailed agendas for the peace talks.