DHAKA: The UN Security Council has called on warring factions in South Sudan to end the recent fighting and prevent the spread of violence.

In a unanimous statement, the council condemned the fighting “in the strongest terms” and expressed “particular shock and outrage” at attacks on UN sites, reports the BBC.

It also called for additional peacekeepers as a response.

Hundreds are reported killed in clashes between rival groups since Friday.

Forces loyal to Vice-President Riek Machar say government troops attacked their positions in the capital, Juba.

A spokesman for Machar said that the country was “back to war” but Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth described reports of war as “dishonest”.

The UN mission said hundreds of people had sought shelter in its compounds.

The violence has raised fears of renewed instability, with a 2015 peace deal failing to quell unrest.

Friday's exchanges were apparently sparked by a shootout between President Salva Kiir’s and Machar’s bodyguards. At least 150 died in the clashes.

The two men met at the presidential palace the same day, and issued a call for calm.

Calm was apparently restored on Saturday but heavy gunfire was reported on Sunday near a military barracks occupied by troops loyal to Machar.

BDST: 0931 HRS, JUL 11, 2016
SR