Rival Cypriot leaders ended a first round of intensive talks yesterday in an accelerated UN-led drive to try to reunify the island in 2010, but with few signs a breakthrough was imminent.

"I can't say we have some concrete results but we weren't talking to just pass the time," President Demetris Christofias said after three days of talks.

"But I'm very, very careful about saying whether there has been convergence... I'm very patient because our aim is not to fail, our aim is to succeed."

UN envoy Alexander Downer was also reluctant to talk about progress.

"There will be a further three days of intensive talks, so you need to look at it in the totality of this period," the Australian said.

The Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders say they are committed to finding a solution this year, and the UN hopes 2010 will see a Cyprus settlement.

After 16 months of sluggish negotiations, Mr Christofias, a Greek Cypriot, and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat are stepping up the pace.

They have agreed to meet six times for marathon talks over a three-week period. They next meet on January 25, 26 and 27.

On Saturday, Christofias is to fly to Athens for talks with the Greek government and Mr Talat is also expected to hold contacts in Ankara.