Addis Ababa, 4 Aug 2003 (IRIN)

The United Nations has welcomed a move by Ethiopia and Eritrea to allow 28 tourists to cross the contested border between the countries.

Legwaila Joseph Legwaila, head of the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) described the border crossing as “wonderful”.

Officials from the two countries – which are both keen to boost tourism – also welcomed the bridge crossing which took place on 28 July.

Legwaila’s comments came after 28 South African tourists travelled into Eritrea from Ethiopia via the symbolic Mereb Bridge, which links both countries.

While the crossing does not mark the first people to enter one country from the other since the war flared up in 1998, it is seen as significant given the numbers involved.

The Mereb is often where repatriations of civilian detainees or prisoners of war have taken place following the war. But since the war tension between both sides has remained high.

“I think the significance was that if there is a will to let people move from Ethiopia and Eritrea on both sides, it can happen,” said UN Force Commander Major General Robert Gordon. “I am sure it can be done in the future.”

The tourists are travelling from South Africa to Egypt – starting at Cape Town and travelling through Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia before arriving in Eritrea.