New York - The UN Security Council on Friday urged Cypriot leaders to intensify their efforts aimed at ending the ethnic division on the island.

The 15-nation council unanimously adopted a resolution urging both sides to use the favourable opportunity of negotiations to intensify the "momentum of negotiations, preserving the current atmosphere of trust and goodwill, and engaging in the process in a constructive and open manner."

Leaders of Greek and Turkish Cypriots decided on September 3 to launch full-fledged negotiations to work out a comprehensive and durable settlement for Cyprus.

The council also welcomed the decisions by both side to abide by confidence-building measures and the cancellation of military exercises on the island.

A United Nations peacekeeping force has been monitoring a symbolic ceasefire line dividing the two ethnic communities. (dpa)