Mine-sweeping Process Starts Around Lokmaci Gate

LEFKOSA - United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) started Wednesday mine-sweeping around Lokmaci Gate in Lefkosa.
UNFICYP spokesperson Jose Diaz said UN experts would complete their studies at the gate on Wednesday.
Clearing away the mines and booby traps in the region is the first step to be taken towards the opening of Lokmaci Gate, sources said.
During the recent meeting between President Mehmet Ali Talat of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias, parties have agreed on the opening of Lokmaci Gate following the completion of technical preparations.
On Tuesday, Hasan Ercakica, spokesman for TRNC President, told that studies to be carried out at Lokmaci Gate would mainly focus on two issues.
Ercakica said one of the issues would be mine-sweeping while the other would be ensuring safety of the pedestrian-crossing in the region.

-AKEL OFFICIALS VISIT CTP-
Meanwhile, representatives of the Greek Cypriot communist party AKEL, whose chairperson is Greek Cypriot leader Christofias, paid a courtesy call to the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) of TRNC on Wednesday.
During the visit, the two parties assessed the recent meeting between Talat and Christofias.
(DO-MS)