UN chief calls for extension of peacekeeping mission in Cyprus

-UNITED NATIONS (A.A) - December 2, 2011 - United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for the extension of the UN peacekeeping mission's mandate in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for six months.  Ban has advised in a report he submitted to the Security Council that the mandate of UNFICYP, which expires on December 15, be extended until June 15, 2012.  The UN head also said in his report in the ongoing settlement talks to reunify the island, the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders had made some progress since last July when they held a meeting with Ban in Geneva. "Since then the leaders have achieved significant progress in matters of economy, European Union and domestic security but they they were able to make very little progress in property issue, territory and citizenship," Ban said in his report.  Ban said his meeting with the Cypriot leaders last October in Greentree, New York, had shown that "a lot must be done to reach a full agreement," however, he added that the two leaders had reaffirmed their faith in a settlement.  Ban said he was set to meet with leaders again in January next year, adding that he would present another report to the Security Council after that meeting. The UN secretary general also mentioned the Greek Cypriot off-shore drilling for oil and gas around the island, saying that Greek Cypriot move had escalated tensions in Cyprus.