Cyprus: UN Secretary-General Guterres' visit protested by anti-federation groups in Northern Cyprus.

.LEFKOSA, TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS - JULY 28, 2026: A group of protesters gathered against the visit of United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Tuesday, July 28. Guterres, who arrived in Lefkosa, the capital of the TRNC, to meet TRNC President Tufan Erhurman as part of his visit to Cyprus, was protested by an anti-federation group gathered around the Presidential complex. The group carried banners that read "Our only guarantee is the Turkish army," "We trust only the Turkish army," and "We follow our Cypriot leaders, no to Greek oppression". At the main entrance of the Presidential complex, a brief argument broke out between police and protesters after police removed the group's banner and attempted to relocate it as the demonstrators sought to stage a protest during Secretary-General Guterres' departure. Meanwhile, in Lefkosa, a group supporting the federation-based process in Cyprus held a demonstration in support of Guterres, carrying banners reading "United Cyprus" and "Peace now." Guterres on Tuesday reaffirmed his commitment to supporting efforts toward a settlement in Cyprus, saying he hopes to work with both communities and the guarantor powers to advance a solution to the decades-long dispute. Speaking to reporters after separate meetings with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Tufan Erhurman and Greek Cypriot administration leader Nikos Christodoulides, Guterres said: "I come to express my solidarity with the people of Cyprus and my engagement in finding or hoping to find, both with the Cypriots, but also with the guarantors, a solution." Guterres said he also aimed to assess whether confidence-building measures could be advanced in a way that is "beneficial" for both communities, adding that he held "two very constructive meetings" with the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders. Following his meeting with Christodoulides, the UN chief reiterated his "strong commitment" to achieving a solution on the island. "It depends, obviously, on the Cypriots themselves and also the guarantors have a role to play," he said. Türkiye, Greece and the UK are the guarantor powers for Cyprus. The UN chief pledged to continue supporting efforts by both communities, saying: "I will do everything I can to support the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in this very important moment." Cyprus has been mired in a decades-long dispute between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots despite a series of UN-led diplomatic efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement.