ATHENS: Greece and Cyprus today [July 23] underwent a major shake-up in the wake of Turkish gains in Cyprus as the Greek armed forces decided to transfer power to a civilian Government and Cyprus President Nicos Sampson was replaced by … a moderate Greek-Cypriot politician, Mr Glafkos Clerides, today.

Uncertainty in the eastern Mediterranean conflict was heightened by the change of Government in Athens. The President’s office announced here tonight after broad-based meeting of military and civilian leaders that the decision by the armed forces to relinquish power in favour of a political Government was taken in view of the “critical national situation”.

Informed sources in Paris said tonight that former Greek Prime Minister Constantine Ka­­ramanlis, living in exile in France, has been called back to Greece by President Pha­edon Gizikis. The sources said Mr. Karamanlis would be called upon to form a Government of “national unity”. President Gizikis summoned the politicians, including opponents of the military regime, to the first meeting of its kind since the military seized power in Athens in 1967. Nicosia Radio announced earlier that Mr Glafkos Clerides … was sworn in … as the new President. — News agencies

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2024