Monrovia, March 17 -- Leaders of the Mano River Union Monday gathered in Guinea, Conakry in what observers describe as a critical diplomatic intervention aimed at preventing tensions along the Liberia-Guinea border from escalating into a wider regional dispute.

The emergency meeting brought together the presidents of the three neighboring countries at a time when anxieties were growing among border communities and national authorities over reports of military movements and confrontations in northern Liberia.The gathering ended with a renewed commitment by the region's leaders to preserve peace, strengthen unity, and promote respect for sovereignty among member states of the sub-regional bloc.

The discussions were attended by President J...