Nicosia, Sunday
CHALLENGER Glafcos Clerides won the Cyprus presidential election by a
whisker today, signalling a tougher line towards a UN plan to reunite
the island.
Clerides, 73, a lawyer and standard bearer for the Greek-Cypriot
conservative establishment, scored a surprise victory over incumbent
George Vassiliou in a second round run-off.
Final results gave him a majority of about 2000 votes -- 50.3% to
communist-backed millionaire George Vassiliou's 49.7%.
Vassiliou telephoned Clerides to congratulate him then went on
television to concede defeat and appeal for national unity. Supporters
of the new president, in cars with horns blaring and flags waving,
blocked central Nicosia streets.
''My conscience is clear that in my five years I have done my best for
Cyprus and its people,'' said 61-year-old Vassiliou, who ran as an
independent candidate and beat Clerides by 7% in last Sunday's first
round.
Voting is compulsory on the island and more than 93% of the 393,000
registered voters turned out.--Reuter.
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