Cyprus' rival leaders to meet UN chief next month

The leaders of the ethnically divided east Mediterranean island of Cyprus are ready to meet with the UN secretary-general next month to map out possible next steps toward a resumption of formal reunification talks, officials said Friday.
UN spokesman Aleem Siddique said in a statement that the two would carry on discussions with U.N. envoy Jane Holl Lute to prepare the ground for "structured and results-oriented" negotiations leading to a peace deal "with a sense of urgency."

Siddique issued the statement after Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci held private talks for nearly four hours.
Anastasiades said after the talks inside a UN protected area that separates the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south and the breakaway, Turkish Cypriot north that Lutes contacts aimed at preparing a meeting with UN chief...