This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7261195.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Cyprus votes in run-off election Cyprus votes in run-off election
(10 minutes later)
The Republic of Cyprus is voting in the second round of the country's presidential elections.The Republic of Cyprus is voting in the second round of the country's presidential elections.
It follows Greek Cypriots' surprise rejection last week of incumbent President Tassos Papadopoulos.It follows Greek Cypriots' surprise rejection last week of incumbent President Tassos Papadopoulos.
The two remaining candidates, Demetris Christofias and Ioannis Kasoulides, both promise that if elected they will revive talks on reuniting the island.The two remaining candidates, Demetris Christofias and Ioannis Kasoulides, both promise that if elected they will revive talks on reuniting the island.
The two men were neck-and-neck in the first round, separated by less than 1,000 votes.The two men were neck-and-neck in the first round, separated by less than 1,000 votes.
More than 60% of Greek Cypriots voted against President Papadopoulos, ousting the man who had advised them to reject the UN-brokered reunification deal in 2004.More than 60% of Greek Cypriots voted against President Papadopoulos, ousting the man who had advised them to reject the UN-brokered reunification deal in 2004.
The two remaining candidates in the race may be at opposite ends of the political spectrum, but during their electoral campaigns they have both emphasised their commitment to solving the Cyprus problem.The two remaining candidates in the race may be at opposite ends of the political spectrum, but during their electoral campaigns they have both emphasised their commitment to solving the Cyprus problem.
Mr Kasoulides, a former foreign minister favoured by the international community to negotiate a solution, has said that if elected he will meet with the Turkish Cypriot leadership from the north of the island the next day.Mr Kasoulides, a former foreign minister favoured by the international community to negotiate a solution, has said that if elected he will meet with the Turkish Cypriot leadership from the north of the island the next day.
Mr Papadopoulos was narrowly defeated in the knife-edge poll
Mr Christofias argues that his close ties with the Turkish Cypriot labour movement will enable him to broker a deal acceptable to both sides.Mr Christofias argues that his close ties with the Turkish Cypriot labour movement will enable him to broker a deal acceptable to both sides.
So on the face of it the electoral mood amongst Greek Cypriots appears to have changed.So on the face of it the electoral mood amongst Greek Cypriots appears to have changed.
But the character of politics in Cyprus means that smaller parties, including the defeated president's National Diko party, continue to exert a disproportionate influence on events.But the character of politics in Cyprus means that smaller parties, including the defeated president's National Diko party, continue to exert a disproportionate influence on events.
"The coalition that communist leader Christofias has formed includes the parties of the old government which in the past had opposed a settlement," says Hubert Faustmann, a political analyst at the University of Nicosia"The coalition that communist leader Christofias has formed includes the parties of the old government which in the past had opposed a settlement," says Hubert Faustmann, a political analyst at the University of Nicosia
"So he has the support of parties whose support for a solution cannot be guaranteed.""So he has the support of parties whose support for a solution cannot be guaranteed."
Mr Kasoulides by contrast is unencumbered by the kind of political alliances that might constrain him in any future talks.Mr Kasoulides by contrast is unencumbered by the kind of political alliances that might constrain him in any future talks.