As confusion reigned across Cyprus 34 years ago, international press reports differed on the events in Nicosia and the fate of President Makarios.

The report below was one of the most accurate accounts to come out of the confusion, and was published world wide in late editions on July 15, 1974.

CY Coup papers
©Unknown
The Cyprus National Guard, led by Greek army officers seeking the union of Cyprus with Greece, overthrew the government of President Archbishop Makarios today and swore in newspaper publisher Nicos Sampson as new president, Nicosia Radio reported.

The United Nations and Britain reported that Archbishop Makarios was still alive.

The reports came as the rebels announced the appointment of five cabinet ministers to a new "government of national salvation".

Britain said Makarios had asked for and was given permission to enter Britain's sovereign base areas on the Mediterranean island. But diplomatic sources in the British capital said the archbishop had left the areas for an unknown destination.

Some authorities in the British capital speculated he may be heading for a special session of the UN Security Council in New York.

The Cyprus National Guard, which overthrew Makarios, claimed to be in complete control of the situation on the Mediterranean island. It said an island wide dusk-to-dawn curfew would remain in effect, and warned that violators will be shot without warning.

But the British Forces Broadcasting Service, the station of the British army on Cyprus, said fighting was continuing in the capital of Nicosia, and the major cities of Larnaca, Famagusta and Limassol.

The UN Security Council was summoned to meet at 3pm. EDT in New York to consider the Cyprus crisis. UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim said two top UN officials met with Makarios on Cyprus today and reported he was "sound and well".

Cyprus radio said the new regime would maintain an independent course and avoided any mention of union with Greece, largely thought to have been the aim of Monday's coup.

The broadcast said Nikos Sampson, named president by rebels proclaiming the overthrow of Archbishop Makarios, promised elections within a year and liberty and religious freedom for Cyprus.