NICOSIA, Cyprus – Cyprus’ foreign minister has formally resigned over the explosion of dozens of gunpowder-filled containers at a naval base that killed 13 people, shaking public confidence in the government.
Markos Kyprianou said on Tuesday he did not accept President Dimitris Christofias’ appeal to stay. Kyprianou initially announced his intention to step down on Monday.
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Kyprianou says his resignation would help ongoing investigations into the island’s worst military disaster.
The explosion of the containers – which were seized from an Iranian ship in 2009 – also knocked out a key power station and prompted nightly protests in the capital claiming official negligence.
The defence minister and top military chief have already resigned. Some have called on Christofias to go next.
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