Prime schools throughout Cyprus closed Thursday (31 OCTOBER) to allow children to take part in a large demonstration through the streets of the capital, Nicosia.

Six children from each school took part in the protest, directed against the invasion of the island by Turkey and m\demanding the return of all refugees to their homes. Led by war-orphans, the children marched to the Education Building and later to the Greek Embassy, where they handed in an appeal for greek support.

The protest was the last in a week-long series, and came on the eve of the United Nations' vote on the Cyprus problem.

On Friday (1 November) the UN General Assembly passed a resolution urging the speedy withdrawal of all foreign troops from the island, and the cessation of all foreign interference in the internal affairs of the country. The Assembly described the constitutional future of the island as the concern of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.

The resolution was passed unanimously, with Greece, Turkey and Cyprus all voting for the resolution.