LARNACA, July 9: The Olympic flame completed its world tour here on Friday after the torch departed Larnaca airport on a special flight bound for Crete to be welcomed home.

This southern coastal town was the last stop on a two-month, 33-city voyage before the Olympic flame lights up the Athens Games on Aug 13.

"It is not by coincidence that Cyprus was chosen for the last stop," Athens 2004 president Yianna Angelopoulou Daskalaki told reporters here. "The flame went to Africa and South America for the first time and this symbol of Greece and the Olympic Games has literally united five continents," she added.

Daskalaki arrived in Cyprus to receive the Oympic flame and escort it back to Greece after its longest ever journey. "I am proud that Cypriots have warmly welcomed the flame and with such emotion... these Games may prove to be the most powerful event that unites the world today," said Daskalaki. -AFP