UNFICYP draft under ‘silence procedure’

A resolution renewing the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus for an additional six months is under the "silence procedure" and it is expected to be adopted on Thursday if no member breaks the silence.
Following a period of consultations, it appeared earlier this week that there was wide support among Council members to extend the mandate of the mission in its current configuration, but talks also focused on some contentious issues.
Nicosia was concerned over several paragraphs in an early draft that would have called on Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to intensify efforts for direct cooperation between the two sides, a situation the Republic of Cyprus in the south wants to avoid as the administration in the north is not officially recognized by any country except Turkey.
Diplomatic sources in New York reportedly pointed out the latest...