It emerged after the first round of voting in the general election on Sunday that Ioannis Kassoulides, a former foreign minister and current leader of the conservative Disy party, and Demetris Christofias, the leader of the communist Akel party, were the two leading candidates to take on the country's presidency, and both will participate in a run-off election on 24th February.

According to election results posted on the Cypriot government website, Kasoulides gained 33.51% of the total votes cast, closely followed by Christofias with 33.29%. Papadopoulos attracted 31.79% of the vote.

It is thought that the election result signals a call by the Cypriot population for an end to hostilities with the Turkish North in what remains a divided island. Papadopoulos, who came to power in 2003, had taken a hard line approach to the issue during his presidency, and was instrumental in scuppering the United Nations's Annan Plan in 2004, which provided a blueprint for reunification.

By contrast, both of the remaining candidates in the presidential contest are keen to resume talks with the Turkish side. Indeed, Kassoulides, who supported the Annan Plan, has said that he would begin talks with Turkish Cypriot leaders "the day after" he's elected.

Papadopoulos's departure is being seen by observers as the removal of perhaps the last obstacle towards a permanent resolution of the Cyprus conflict, and diplomats are expected to begin negotiations again later this year, possibly as early as April. The resumption of talks would also cast Turkey in a favourable light, as it prepares for next year's assessment of its bid to enter the European Union.