The West African bloc, Ecowas, has postponed making a decision on Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso after its leaders failed to agree on what action to take against the military juntas in each of those three countries.
The region's leaders, however, said they were concerned with the countries' deteriorating political and security situations.
The bloc imposed economic sanctions on Mali after officers staged two coups in less than a year. It threatened harsh measures against both Guinea and Burkina Faso whose military rulers have proposed to remain in power for three years.