Disputes Follow Opening of Divided Street in Cyprus

NICOSIA, Cyprus — Greek and Turkish Cypriot authorities reopened the divided capital's Ledra Street yesterday, but were forced to close it for nearly two hours following a dispute over how to police the street, long considered a symbol of the island's partitioning.

The opening of the street, located in a central Nicosia shopping district, was meant to serve as a catalyst for peace negotiations between the Greek Cypriot president, Dimitris Christofias, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat.

But the festive atmosphere quickly soured after the crossing was temporarily closed.

A spokesman for the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government, Stefanos Stefanou, said Turkish Cypriot police illegally patrolled part of the street by entering the U.N.-controlled buffer zone.

"We have been very clear that violations cannot be tolerated," Mr. Stefanou told the Associated Press.

The closure ended after protesters gathered on both sides, chanting "Cyprus belongs to its people," and U.N. officials mediated between rival police forces.