Syrian oil spill moving towards Cyprus appears to partially dissolve

Spill was threatening island's Karpas peninsula, but pieces have detached and fate now depends on sea currents

A large oil slick that had been working its way across the Mediterranean towards Cyprus, following a spill in Syria, appears to have partially dissolved although its next move will depend on currents.

The spill, likened in size to New York City, had threatened the island's Karpas peninsula, a strip of pristine beaches and verdant hills in the Turkish-controlled north, after seeping into the sea from a power plant in Syria nine days ago.