Turkey, which occupied the north of the island from 1974 and now supports the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, has threatened military action if the missiles are installed.

Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides is returning from talks in Greece for a meeting of his top advisory council, where his spokesman says the final decision will be made.

The BBC's Correspondent in Nicosia Chris Drake says there is an expectation that international pressure to prevent a war has paid off, but many Greek Cypriots will feel defeated and humiliated.

A defence pact exists between Cyprus and Greece. Fears of a fresh conflict between Greece and Turkey have prompted an international effort, led by the United States and United Kingdom to halt the deployment of the nuclear missiles.

Drawing international attention

Our correspondent says the aim of ordering the missile system two years ago was to goad the international community into taking dynamic action to end the division of the island.

Instead, the missiles themselves, rather than the problem of a divided island, have been the main focus of international mediation.

Promises of action by the international community have resembled routine annual declarations rather than anything providing cause for optimism.

The proposed deployment succeeded in drawing world attention, but now the Turkish Cypriots and their staunch mainland backers in Ankara have become progressively more demanding.

Prior to the missile deal talks were held on an inter-communal basis. But now the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, insists on full recognition as a separate state.