AKIPRESS.COM - New crossings have been opened between the Turkish and Greek sides of Cyprus - the first in eight years, BBC reports.

Dozens crossed via the new routes near Dherynia and Lefke as guards removed barbed wire fences.

Monday's opening of new crossings follows the breakdown of United Nations-sponsored reunification talks last year.

UN peacekeepers have patrolled a buffer zone since hostilities between the island's two sides ceased in 1974.

The local Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported a long queue of cars and a crowd of about 100 people waiting to cross over to Dherynia, in the north, ahead of the opening at noon local time (10:00 GMT).