Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern met jailed Ethiopian opposition leaders today in an effort to resolve a political crisis triggered by a disputed election.

Seven African leaders today reviewed efforts to restore peace in Somalia and Uganda and attempts to resolve a festering border dispute between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Eritrea has ordered the expulsion of US, Canadian, Russian and other European staff of the UN peacekeeping mission that monitors the tense border with neighbouring Ethiopia, United Nations officials said today.

A British minister warned Ethiopia and Eritrea today that the international community is running out of patience with the deadlocked peace process.