UN Says Eritrea, Ethiopia Moving Forces Along Border

A United Nations official says Ethiopia and Eritrea have moved troops and tanks towards a security zone near their disputed border in recent weeks.

The official said today (Wednesday) the situation in the region has deteriorated from stable to tense, and that it appears both countries are preparing for possible renewed war.

The official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, is with the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).

The United Nations has criticized Eritrea for restricting helicopter flights by U.N. peacekeepers last month, saying the ban has severely hampered its ability to carry out its mission.

Under a peace deal ending a two-year border war between the two nations, an independent commission has drawn a new border. But Ethiopia has refused to accept the commission's ruling which awarded the key town of Badme to Eritrea.