The Turkish Foreign Ministry claimed today that the UN condemnation of the incident that occurred on Friday in Cyprusin the Dead Zone near Pyla, where Turkish Cypriot forces attacked Blue Helmets attempting to block the construction of a controversial road, “it’s unreal”.

“The statement of the United Nations Security Council is outside the reality of the field. Instead of making a positive contribution to the problem, this statement makes the process more difficult,” argued the Turkish ministry, which blamed the Blue Helmets for the incident.

“The notification about the road works was made some time ago. The intervention of the Blue Helmets (…) caused the tensions”, claimed the Turkish ministry.

The episode occurred on Friday morning near Pyla, within the Dead Zone which separates the free from the occupied part of Cyprus. It was one of the most serious incidents in recent years and caused an international outcry.

The UN said four peacekeepers were injured and their vehicles damaged as they tried to block “unauthorized construction work” near Pyla.

After a closed-door meeting yesterday, Monday, The UN Security Council condemned the attacks, which it said could “constitute a crime under international law”.. “This action is contrary to the decisions of the Security Council and is a violation of the status quo in the UN dead zone”, underlined its 15 members.