Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias, (R), breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, (front, L), and UN special representative to Cyprus Taye-Brook Zerihoun, (C), plant an olive tree in the UN buffer zone. Photo / AP

Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias, (R), breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, (front, L), and UN special representative to Cyprus Taye-Brook Zerihoun, (C), plant an olive tree in the UN buffer zone. Photo / AP

NICOSIA, Cyprus - A United Nations spokesman says Britain is offering to cede nearly half the land of its two bases on Cyprus if a deal to reunify the divided nation is reached.

Jose Diaz says the offer was conveyed to UN special envoy Alexander Downer yesterday.

The ceded territory would amount to 117 square kilometers.

Britain, the former colonial ruler, retained the bases after Cyprus gained independence in 1960.

Diaz said the offer is conditional on Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias and breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat reaching a peace accord.

Britain made a similar offer as part of a failed peace effort in 2003.

Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded in response to a coup by supporters of union with Greece.

- AP