Cyprus's key govt partner quits government

NICOSIA, July 10 (Reuters) Cyprus's largest party said today it was quitting the governing centre-left coaltion and would field its own candidate in presidential elections scheduled for next February.

The communist AKEL said its coalition partners had declined to back its own candidate, Demetris Christofias, instead of incumbent Tassos Papadopoulos.

''We are saddened by this development,'' said Christofias, who is secretary-general of AKEL.

An AKEL party congress on Sunday said it would back Christofias in the Feb. 2008 presidential poll in a decision which could harm the re-election chances of Papadopoulos.

A cabinet reshuffle was expected to replace AKEL's ministers in cabinet. They hold the foreign, transport, interior and health ministry posts.

REUTERS AM ND1552