Turkish Cypriot political party ''United Cyprus'' is demanding the termination of settling in the Turkish occupied areas, saying it is a war crime and alters the demographic character of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Party member Abdullah Korkmazhan says in a written statement that the demand of Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for all the Turkish settlers to remain on the island after a Cyprus settlement is the worst action against the Turkish Cypriots.

He notes that the transfer of illegal population from Turkey to the occupied areas alters the demographic character of the Turkish Cypriot community and renders the Turkish Cypriots a minority.

Korkmazhan also points out the necessity for a solution that will safeguard the human rights and freedoms of all Cypriots and terminate rather than legitimise settling.

He furthermore notes that the presence of Turkish Cypriots violates international law and constitutes a war crime.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.