(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Juba, July 11 (QNA) - South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and first Vice-President Riek Machar have ordered a ceasefire after days of intense fighting in the capital, Juba.
Since Thursday, more than 200 people are said to have died in clashes between the rival leaders' forces, the BBC reports.
The violence began with a shootout, and has since involved the use of heavy artillery, tanks and helicopters.
The UN Security Council had urged both sides to stop fighting, amid fears for the safety of millions of civilians.
In a unanimous statement, the council condemned the violence in the strongest terms and expressed particular shock and outrage at attacks on UN sites. It also called for additional peacekeepers to be sent to South Sudan. (QNA)