Image copyright AFP Image caption UN chief Ban Ki-moon (C) is overseeing talks between the Turkish Cypriot (L) and Greek Cypriot leaders

The leaders of Cyprus are holding UN-mediated talks in Switzerland aimed at reuniting their divided island. The five days of talks between Nicos Anastasiades and his Turkish counterpart Mustafa Akinci were opened on Monday at Mount Pelerin resort in Switzerland by UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon. A UN plan submitted in separate referendums in 2004 was accepted by Turkish Cypriots but rejected overwhelmingly by Greek Cypriots. Ban on Monday offered his full support to Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and called on Greece, Britain and Turkey to give their backing. As he opened the talks on Monday, Ban Ki-moon said the two leaders had reached a critical moment, adding that "the prospect of a solution in Cyprus is within their reach". Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption A UN-patrolled buffer zone separates Greek- and Turkish-Cypriots

Cyprus has been split since Turkish troops invaded in 1974, following an Athens-inspired coup by Greek Cypriots seeking union with Greece. Since then the island has been cut in two, with the northern third controlled by Turkish Cypriots and the southern two-thirds by Greek Cypriots. Security: For Greek Cypriots, the continuing presence of 35,000 Turkish troops on the island is an outrage, a constant reminder their country is occupied. Many Turkish Cypriots consider a Turkish military presence as vital, at least until they feel secure in a federal Cyprus

Territory: How much land should be administered by each community? Some 800,000 Greek Cypriots live to the south in the internationally recognised republic, which is a member of the European Union.
The leaders of northern and southern Cyprus meet in Switzerland to restart talks about reuniting the island.