Former U.S. president Bill Clinton caused quite a stir on the capital’s busy Ledra Street, when he visited the checkpoint and then sat to eat at a restaurant nearby, before heading off for a stroll up the pedestrianised street crowded with shoppers, according to the Mail on Sunday.

By the time the former president had finished his meal at ‘Kathodon’ restaurant, the word had spread and scores of people – locals and tourists of all nationalities – started to gather outside, waiting to catch a glimpse and hopefully a snap of the famous personality.

Clinton was in Cyprus to speak on recent events and energy issues at the European University of Cyprus, a member of the Laureate International network of which he is a non-executive director.

As the former president started to walk along Ledra Street, crowds of onlookers with cameras gathered around him, kept at a very safe distance by his strong yet discreet security team.

Seemingly undeterred by the early afternoon’s scorching heat, Clinton joked with his friends and seemed to take in his stride, the mayhem that was going on around him.

Kathodon restaurant owner Sakis Siakopoulos said he was amazed by how “ordinary” the former US president was.

“He was very approachable and he had great patience, especially towards the end when everyone was trying to take pictures,” Siakopoulos told the Sunday Mail. “His choice of food is very simple too. He doesn’t eat meat, rarely eats cheese and scarcely drinks.”

He added: “I was mostly impressed by how ordinary he is. He was smiling, didn’t have any demands. He has this air about him, but he isn’t full of himself. I really wasn’t expecting it,” said Siakopoulos.