Six southern African leaders are starting emergency talks in Mozambique on how to respond to the growing threat from Islamist militants in the north of the country.

Close to 750,000 people have been displaced over the last three years.

Thousands fled Palma in the gas rich Cabo Delgado province when jihadists seized the town just over two weeks ago.

The leaders may discuss the idea of deploying a joint military force. But on Wednesday Mozambique's president suggested he would not welcome outside intervention.

In the past Russian and South African private security firms have been contracted to help tackle the insurgency but had little impact.