Thousands have flocked to pay their respects to Demetris Christofias, Cyprus’ former president, and for five years the EU’s only communist leader, in a rare outpouring of grief on the Mediterranean island. Cuba was among the countries most admired by Christofias, who also advocated polices of rapprochement between Greek and Turkish Cypriots in an island divided by war. Facebook Twitter Pinterest On Tuesday Greek and Turkish Cypriots paid homage to Christofias. The disaster was blamed for exacerbating the banking crisis in which thousands of ordinary Cypriots lost bank holdings. On Tuesday, Turkish Cypriots were out in force, crossing the checkpoints that divide the island to attend Christofias’ funeral.

Source: The Guardian June 25, 2019 18:01 UTC