The UN chief said he was “extremely concerned about the renewed resumption of hostilities”.
United Nations, United States:
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Sunday said he was “extremely concerned about the renewed resumption of hostilities” between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, supported by Armenia.
“The Secretary-General strongly calls on the parties to immediately end the fighting, defuse tensions and resume constructive negotiations without delay,” Guterres spokesman said in a statement.
The enemies of Armenia and Azerbaijan have accused themselves of having started clashes on Sunday which left at least 23 dead and threatened to attract regional powers, Russia and Turkey.
The worst clashes since 2016 have raised the specter of a new war in the decades-long territorial conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Sixteen Armenian separatist fighters have been killed and more than 100 injured in the fighting, rebel officials said.
Both sides also reported civilian casualties.
Guterres “condemns the use of force and regrets the loss of life and the toll of the civilian population,” the statement said, adding that the secretary general will meet with the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia.
France, Germany, Italy and the European Union also called for an immediate ceasefire, while Pope Francis prayed for peace.
