Greek and Turkish Cypriots have reopened a major crossing in the divided Cypriot capital of Nicosia.
Ledra Street, which had come to symbolise the partition of the island, was declared open by local officials.
It was then closed again for a couple of hours by the Greek Cypriots, after what they called an illegal Turkish Cypriot police patrol.
The crossing was finally re-opened later on Thursday evening after mediation by UN officials.
Protesters had gathered on both sides of the barrier, chanting "Cyprus belongs to its people", after the street had been closed again.
"After consultations with the UN, we have been given assurances that this will not happen again," Kypros Michailidis, Nicosia's Greek Cypriot police chief, told the Associated Press news agency.
Ledra Street was divided in 1964, during a flare in violence between the ethnic Greek and Turkish communities.
New Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat had agreed to reopen the busy shopping street last month.
The two leaders have also agreed to resume talks on reunifying the island.
Earlier, as the street reopened, an aide to Mr Talat, Osdil Nami said: "We are living a historic day today. We are witnessing one of the obstacles to a solution come down."
EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn also welcomed the reopening, saying it showed that the two sides were "ready to put aside the difficulties of the past".
Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been divided since 1974, when Turkey deployed troops after a coup by Greek Cypriots who wanted union with Greece.
Ledra Street had been at the centre of the island's leading shopping district before it was blocked in the middle, with military posts either side of the dividing line.
Cyprus' government demolished a wall and military checkpoint on Ledra Street last year.
But plans to reopen the street were rejected by President Christofias' predecessor, Tassos Papadopoulos.
"We still have a long way to go," said the mayor of Nicosia, Eleni Mavrou. "This is the first step. We hope many more will follow."
Source: BBC
