Friday, May 19, 2006

UN to halve Eritrea-Ethiopia force

The UN plans to halve its peacekeeping force on the tense border between Ethiopia and Eritrea after talks this week failed to break a deadlock between the arch-foes, diplomats said Friday, Sudan Tribune reported May 19, 2006.

"The London talks this week failed," one western diplomat said on condition of anonymity. "So the UN has now decided to reduce UNMEE's military troops from 3,000 men to 1,500 men."

A second Asmara-based diplomat confirmed that the reduction "is what is most likely to happen" and said a final decision by the UN Security Council could come as early as Monday.

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