UN Security Council demands South Sudan leaders to prevent spread of violence

The members of the UN Security Council have condemned the escalation of fighting in Juba, South Sudan that started on July 7 and urged leaders to stop the spread of violence.

Members of the UN body in charge of peace and security met at UN Headquarters in New York late Sunday, to consider how to respond to several days of clashes between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and opposition forces loyal to his deputy Riek Machar.

Reading out portions of a statement to the press following a three-hour closed-door emergency session, Ambassador Koro Bessho of Japan, which holds the Council's presidency for the month, said the body's 15 members had expressed particular shock and outrage at the attacks on UN compounds and protection of civilians sites in Juba.

Listen to the statement