Minsk urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to exercise restraint - statement

MINSK. Sept 13 (Interfax) - Belarus' Foreign Ministry has released a statement over the recent escalation on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, calling for restraint on both sides.

"We call on the leadership of friendly Azerbaijan and Armenia to exercise restraint and honor all existing agreements," the statement said.

Minsk is alarmed by the latest escalation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, grieves for the dead on both sides and wishes swift recovery for those injured, it said.

Any conflict may and must be resolved only by means of political diplomacy, the ministry said.

"For its part, the Republic of Belarus will continue to make efforts in every available format towards the attainment of peace and stability in the South Caucasus," the statement said.