President Denktas designates Talat to form govt

LEFKOSA (AA) – President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) designated Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who won 19 seats at the parliament following the parliamentary elections on December 14, 2003, to form the new government.

Mehmet Ali Talat has until February to present a cabinet to avoid new polls.

His Republican Turkish Party and their allies supporting a UN plan to unite the island control 25 seats in 50-seat breakaway parliament.

Denktas has said fresh elections will be held if no party manages a working parliamentary majority.