U.N. Chief Calls for Resumption of Cyprus Ralks

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called for a quick resumption of Cyprus peace talks that were suspended during a dispute over rights to offshore oil and gas.

Ban made the appeal after meeting with U.N. envoy Espen Barth Eide who is brokering talks between Cypriot Greek and Turkish leaders on the divided island.

The U.N. chief "expressed concern over the tensions that have arisen in relation to hydrocarbons and over the suspension of negotiations" and said the sides must "return to the negotiating table without delay", a U.N. statement said.

Cyprus suspended its participation in the U.N.-led negotiations on October 7, to protest moves by Turkey to undermine its right to exploit gas and oil reserves.

Turkey dispatched a survey boat to an area where the Cypriot government had licensed exploratory drilling for oil and gas.

Ban called on countries in the region to help advance the peace process.