The finding of an unexploded mortar shell on the grounds of what will soon be Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar’s official residence in Ayios Dhometios caused the adjacent crossing point to close for 20 minutes on Tuesday afternoon.

Reports began to surface at around 2pm that the crossing point had been closed by the Turkish Cypriot authorities, with the police confirming to the Cyprus Mail shortly afterwards that the crossing point had been closed but was then reopened shortly thereafter.

The crossing point closure had been caused by the finding of an unexploded mortar shell.

The new complex in Ayios Dhometios, which will house a ‘presidential’ palace, a ‘parliament’ building, and courthouses, among other infrastructure, is being built on a former military base.

Tatar and the north’s ‘parliament’ is set to move to the new premises within the next few months, though no exact date for the move has yet been announced.