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Deal at risk as N Cyprus votes Hardliners win N Cyprus election
(about 4 hours later)
Turkish Cypriots have been voting in northern Cyprus in parliamentary elections that could hamper efforts to reunite the divided island. Turkish Cypriot nationalists have swept to victory in a parliamentary election in northern Cyprus that could hamper peace talks with Greek Cypriots.
Opinion polls put the ruling Republican Turkish Party (CTP) behind the right-wing National Unity Party (UBP). The right-wing National Unity Party (UBP), which favours closer links with Turkey rather than EU membership, has won 44% of the vote.
The CTP backs Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who has been making progress in talks with Greek Cypriots. That leaves the ruling Republican Turkish Party (CTP) of leader Mehmet Ali Talat with only 29%.
Campaigning has focused on the peace talks, which relaunched in September last year, and the economy. Mr Talat retains his position, but his hands will now be tied at peace talks.
Cyprus has been split since a Turkish invasion in 1974, that followed a brief Greek-inspired coup in Nicosia. Cypriot problem
A United Nations buffer zone - the "green line" - currently separates the two communities. The breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey, and is subject to a trade embargo. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish forces invaded the island in response to an attempt by Greek Cypriots to make it part of Greece.
Fragile process Frustration at the slow progress of talks aimed at reuniting the island appears to have been a key element in this latest poll, the BBC's Tabitha Morgan reports from Cyprus.
Mr Talat and Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias have agreed in principle on a future federal structure for Cyprus, although several issues are still to be resolved. When Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Talat began talks with the Greek Cypriot leader, President Dimitris Christofias, over a year ago, he predicted a deal within months.
But the UBP, which recent opinion polls put several points ahead of the centre-left CTP, wants the island to remain divided and has its sights on a two-state model. As part of the package, the breakaway Turkish Cypriot republic - which is only recognised by Turkey - would have gained automatic membership of the EU.
Analysts say a win for the UBP could make it harder for Mr Talat to negotiate. None of this has happened.
About 160,000 people were eligible to vote, with results expected around midnight (2100 GMT). Two-state solution
The leader of the nationalist UBP party, Dervis Eroglu, has said he will be pressing for international recognition for the breakaway state.
Supporters of the UBP Party celebrate the election win
The UBP wants the island to remain divided and has its sights on a two-state model.
Mr Eroglu has said that he would be appointing his own representative to accompany Mr Talat to future negotiations - a complication which is likely to make the search for a solution to the Cyprus problem considerably more difficult, our correspondent says.
The last attempt at a negotiated solution to the Cypriot problem - in 2004 - collapsed when Turkish Cypriots voted in favour of a UN settlement plan which was rejected by Greek Cypriot voters.The last attempt at a negotiated solution to the Cypriot problem - in 2004 - collapsed when Turkish Cypriots voted in favour of a UN settlement plan which was rejected by Greek Cypriot voters.
As a result, Cyprus - or the southern part ruled by Greek Cypriots - joined the European Union that year, while the north remained effectively excluded.As a result, Cyprus - or the southern part ruled by Greek Cypriots - joined the European Union that year, while the north remained effectively excluded.
Just under 162,000 people were eligible to participate in Sunday's vote. The provisional election results were released by the Turkish Cypriot administration with 89% of the votes counted.