A leading U.N. diplomat has called on Ethiopia and Eritrea to build a common future as disputes persist over the implementation of their peace accord.

U.N. Security Council delegate Ole Peter Kolby spoke Saturday before officials from the two Horn of Africa countries at a new border crossing bridge on the Mereb River. He said the portable military bridge, which is replacing one heavily damaged in the fighting, should be seen as a bridge to normal relations.

However, the French news agency reports Ethiopia's commissioner to the U.N. mission, General Yohannes Gebremsekel, was absent from the ceremony. His Eritrean counterpart General Abrahaley Kifle was present.

Ethiopia has complained of alleged Eritrean violations of their peace treaty which ended a two-year war two years ago. U.N. officials have dismissed as unfounded Ethiopian charges Eritrea is illegally massing troops in the border area.

About 4,000 U.N. peacekeepers have been monitoring the cease-fire. They are scheduled to depart after an independent commission determines a new border at the end of next month.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.

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