CONAKRY, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Guinea will gradually reduce its military deployment along its borders with Liberia and Sierra Leone, the General Staff of the Armed Forces announced on Tuesday.

The decision was announced following a meeting on Monday in Conakry of Guinean President Mamadi Doumbouya, Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, according to a statement issued by Guinea's Directorate of Information and Public Relations of the Armed Forces.

The leaders agreed to resolve border disputes among the three countries through diplomatic channels and to strengthen inter-state cooperation to foster security and trust among neighboring peoples, bound by history, geography and culture, the statement said.

Cote d'Ivoire attended the meeting as an observer, represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Niale Kaba. The four countries form the Mano River Union, a West African intergovernmental organization.

The General Staff called on Guineans to remain vigilant and to support peace and dialogue initiatives with the sister countries of the Mano River Union.

The phased drawdown of troops took effect on Tuesday, the statement added. ■