Hundreds of islanders turned out in the scorching heat to cheer on torch bearers on a relay through ancient Roman temples nestled in olive groves and amphitheatres dotted along the southern coast of the east Mediterranean island.

But heralded as a symbol of peace and reconciliation, the presence of the torch in Cyprus has done just the opposite and underscored deep divisions on the island, ethnically divided between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Greek organisers made last minute changes to its route and shut out northern Cyprus after failing to agree a format of welcoming ceremonies with Turkish Cypriots.

Turkish Cypriots said the plan faltered on a row over whether a welcoming ceremony would be held in the north like that in the Greek Cypriot south.

Greek organisers said they cancelled the northern Cyprus leg after Turkish Cypriots refused to agree to their terms, but have failed to be more specific.

The row disappointed peace activists, already dispirited after the failure of a reunification referendum last April where majority Greek Cypriots rejected a United Nations peace blueprint.

"It is limited to half of Cyprus and this is a violation of the spirit of the Olympic games," said Turkish Cypriot academic Niazi Kizilyurek, one of 145 Cypriot torch bearers.

"I don't know who was behind this tragic failure, but I condemn whoever they are," he said.

Cyprus has been divided since a Turkish invasion in 1974, triggered by a brief Greek Cypriot coup engineered by the military then ruling Greece. The torch would have crossed a U.N. controlled ceasefire line wedged between the two sides.

The Olympic torch leaves Cyprus for Crete on Friday.