Turkey defence min on US lifting Cyprus embargo

Turkey's defence minister warned on Thursday against "disrupting the balance" in southern Cyprus, after the United States said it was partially lifting a 33-year-old arms embargo against ethnically divided Cyprus.

"This will bring conflict, not peace," Hulusi Akar said.

Turkey has reacted angrily to the US move that it said went against the “spirit of alliance” between Washington and Ankara.

Turkish officials have vowed to take steps to guarantee the security of a self-declared Turkish state in the island's north.

The US embargo, imposed in 1987, was designed to prevent an arms race that would hinder UN-facilitated reunification efforts for Cyprus.

It was directed against the southern, Greek Cypriot part of the island, where Cyprus' internationally recognized government is seated.

Turkey has announced that Russia will hold live-fire naval exercises in the eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey’s announcement comes at a time of increased friction between Turkey on the one side and Greece and Cyprus on the other over offshore energy exploration rights.

(Image Credit: AP)