African leaders attending the Organisation of African Unity summit in Burkina Faso are reported to have agreed in principle to try to mediate in the conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Reports from Ougadougou say that after discussing initiatives put forward informally by various African states, the leaders agreed to refer the border dispute to a mediation committee.

But specific issues, such as what form any OAU mediation should take, and who should be involved, remain to be decided.