NICOSIA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus' ruling party Akel on Wednesday elected Andros Kyprianou as its new secretary general to replace Demetris Christofias, who had led the left-wing party for two decades and became the island state's president in 2008.

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias (R) speaks to journalists after a leadership contest in his party, Communist AKEL, with a statue of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin in the background, January 21 2009. Christofias stepped down as leader of the AKEL party after being at its helm for 20 years. He was suceeded by Andros Kyprianou, a party spokesman (L). (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Kyprianou, the spokesman of Akel, or Progressive Party of the Working People, told a press conference that he will do his best to keep Akel as the largest political power in Cyprus.

    "I would like reiterate the promise that I will work ...in an effort for Akel to maintain its leading role in the Republic of Cyprus and be a true servant of the people of Cyprus," he said.

    Regarding the Cyprus problem, Kyprianou voiced his support for the ongoing peace talks aimed at reunifying the eastern Mediterranean island divided since 1974.

    Kyprianou, 53, was until now a Political Bureau member of Akel in charge of international relations.

    At Wednesday's election, he obtained more than 54 percent votes, taking the helm of the former Communist party from Christofias, who announced his resignation last month as Akel leader to devote himself to the reunification talks.

    Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, both considered pro-settlement leaders, launched substantive negotiations in September for the reunification of the island. They have met on a roughly weekly basis to work out a possible solution based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal, federal structure. ¡¡