The disaster thus promises the Tigers massive foreign aid and brings de facto recognition tantalisingly close, raising the price of renewed conflict.

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Mr Erdogan insisted that he could not agree to the opening of membership talks if the price was the formal or de facto recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

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"I think this is a recognition of his de facto leadership, " Alderson said.

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Furthermore, America and the West have no immediate plans to bestow recognition on Somaliland, the de facto fully autonomous area in the north-west of the country that was ruled by Britain during the colonial era before Somalia's independence in 1964.

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So there has been -- I guess I would -- pushing past kind of the complicated legal analysis around recognition, non-recognition -- would point to the practical engagement in working with these groups as the de facto authorities in parts of Libya where they are in control.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House