Vassos Lyssarides, respected Cypriot politician dies at 100

Vassos Lyssarides, one of Cyprus’ most respected politicians who was active in the ethnically divided island’s politics since its 1960 independence from British colonial rule and was involved in the global socialist movement, has died at the age of 100

NICOSIA, Cyprus -- Vassos Lyssarides, one of Cyprus’ most respected politicians who was active in the ethnically divided island’s politics since its 1960 independence from British colonial rule and was involved in the global socialist movement, died on Monday. He was 100. In a post on his official Twitter account, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said the country lost “one of its historic leaders who helped shape (its) identity.” “(Lyssarides) made his mark on our political life over many decades. We owe him much,” Anastasiades wrote. A trained doctor, Lyssarides figured prominently in efforts to restore democratic governance to Cyprus after a 1974 coup by supporters of union with Greece. The coup triggered a Turkish invasion which split the island along ethnic lines.