The UN's highest court ordered Nicaragua on Tuesday to keep security forces away from a disputed border region as it ruled partially in favour of emergency measures requested by Costa Rica.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ), or world court, was asked to rule on a lawsuit lodged by Costa Rica last November which accused Nicaragua of sending troops to accompany dredging workers it said were illegally on Costa Rican territory.

In ruling that both Nicaragua and Costa Rica refrain from sending police or security forces to the area, the court did not order the end of Nicaragua's dredging activities, rejecting Costa Rica's argument that the work was damaging the environment.

(REUTERS)