UN Security Council meets as South Sudan fighting rages
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South Sudanese policemen and soldiers stand guard along a street following renewed fighting in South Sudan's capital Juba, July 10, 2016. © Reuters
The United Nations Security Council has called on South Sudan’s neighbors to help end renewed fighting between government forces and former rebels in the country.
According to Press TV, in a closed-door meeting on Sunday, the council also demanded that both sides of the conflict “do their utmost to control their respective forces, urgently end the fighting and prevent the spread of violence."
Fresh violence in recent weeks has raised fears of a renewed civil war which first broke out in December 2013, leaving tens of thousands of people dead.
The battles are the first since rebel leader Riek Machar returned to the country to take up the post of vice president in a unity government in April, under an accord to end the civil war.
On Sunday, around 50 to 60 casualties were reported in clashes in Juba as former rebels and government soldiers exchanged fire in several parts of the capital. The violence forced thousands of people to flee the city.
More than 300 people, including many civilians and a Chinese peacekeeper, lost their lives during heavy gun battles in Juba on Thursday and Friday.
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