The Turkish Cypriots have told the UN that if they do not recognize the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus by November 5, their peacekeepers must leave Cyprus.

The UN has two camps in the north but also occupies the buffer zone which separates the two communities and is not controlled by the Greek Cypriots or Turkish Cypriots.

Tensions between the two sides are at their highest for decades, so despite the cost and stalemate, the UN likely has no intention of leaving anytime soon.

Established in 1964, UNFICYP is one of the longest-running UN peacekeeping missions in existence.

Aljazeera.