The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) condemns the incident which took place in the civil-use area of the UN buffer zone on Markou Drakou street in Nicosia, during which a group of individuals purportedly threw rocks and fireworks towards the north allegedly at civilians present in a park and nearby cafes.

“Acts of violence of this nature are unacceptable and risk undermining public safety and stability,” UNFICYP notes.

As it is stated in a press release, UNFICYP reached out to the relevant authorities on both sides immediately after the incident occurred to follow developments and to support efforts to establish the facts through an appropriate and thorough investigation.

“UNFICYP reiterates its call for restraint and the respect for the rule of law and calls on all parties and individuals to refrain from any action that could undermine peace and security on the island.”

UNFICYP, comprising over 800 military personnel from about seven troop contributing countries, arrived in Cyprus in March 1964 after inter-communal fighting broke out. The mandate of the force is renewed every year by the Security Council. UNFICYP’s mandate is to contribute to the restoration of normal conditions and entails the facilitation of an increasingly wide range of civilian activities.

Source: Parikiaki.com