Azerbaijan announces ‘unilateral’ ceasefire

Baku, April 3 

Azerbaijan today announced a unilateral ceasefire after the worst violence over disputed Nagorny Karabakh in more than two decades, but Armenian forces said clashes were continuing despite international appeals to stop fighting.

“Azerbaijan, showing good will, has decided to unilaterally cease hostilities", Azerbaijan's defense ministry said in a statement, warning it would “liberate all (Armenian) occupied territories” if Armenian forces “do not stop provocations.”

Baku also pledged to "reinforce" several strategic positions it said it had "liberated" inside the region, which is controlled by Armenia but internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan. But spokesman for the Armenian-backed rebel defence ministry in Karabakh, David Babayan, said fighting has never been halted along the frontline.

"Fierce fighting is under way on southestern and northeastern sectors of the Karabakh frontline," he said.

Earlier on Sunday, Karabakh forces claimed they took back the strategic Lala-Tepe height in Karabakh which was captured by Azeri troops on Saturday. — AFP