Iran has launched an initiative to mediate between Djibouti and Eritrea, in order to help resolve the country's ongoing border disputes.

"Iran, which enjoys close ties with both Djibouti and Eritrea, wishes to help improve the relations between the two countries," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said in a Tuesday meeting with his visiting Djiboutian counterpart Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

Mottaki added that Iran had begun mediation efforts by sending messages to Asmara and Djibouti, urging them to move toward establishing lasting ties.

After months of mounting tensions, Eritrea and Djibouti engaged in brief but serious clashes along their disputed borders in the Doumeira area in June.

Fighting ceased after the UN Security Council called on both countries to withdraw their forces. However, the troops stationed near the border are still a matter of dispute between the two Horn of African nations.

Despite tensions with Asmara, Djibouti has played a significant role in helping resolve the Darfur conflict by hosting negotiations aimed at ending clashes in Somalia.

"Djibouti has been the center of constructive talks aimed at establishing peace between the various sides of the conflict. We believe Djibouti has the capacity to help the peace negotiations," Mottaki said regarding Tehran's position on the issue.

This is while Youssouf for his part said that there was hope that the Djibouti talks would lead to a ceasefire between the Somali rebels and the government.

MJ/SME/HGH