Accessibility links

Breaking News
News

Eritrea Dismisses UN Call for Border Peace


The government of Eritrea is defending its right to send troops into the disputed border region with Ethiopia.

Eritrean officials told a government-run newspaper Wednesday they blame the United Nations for the region's instability, saying it has failed to implement a five-year old border agreement.

On Tuesday, the United Nations Security Council said it is "deeply concerned" by growing tension between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

The council urged both countries to withdraw their forces from within and near the buffer zone.

The Security Council asked Ethiopia to implement a 2002 border ruling without delay, and urged Eritrea to end all restrictions on U.N. monitors.

Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a two year border war that killed some 70,000 people and ended in 2000.

The 2002 ruling by an independent border commission granted Eritrea the border town of Badme but Ethiopia has rejected that decision.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

XS
SM
MD
LG