South Sudan clashes: Salva Kiir and Riek Machar order ceasefire

President Salva Kiir has been locked in a power struggle with another former rebel leader, Riek Machar

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 violence began with a shootout, and has since involved the use of heavy artillery, tanks and helicopters.

UN peacekeepers have suffered casualties in the latest clashes

The UN Security Council had urged both sides to stop fighting, amid fears for the safety of millions of civilians.

There is no dominant culture in South Sudan - the Dinka and the Nuer are the largest of more than 60 ethnic groups, each with its own language and traditional beliefs, alongside Christianity and Islam

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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.

President Kiir's ceasefire order came into effect at 1800 local time (1500 GMT) on Monday. A spokesman for Mr Machar said fighters loyal to the former rebel leader had also declared a ceasefire, effective from 2000 local time.

It is not clear if the violence has subsided. Reuters news agency reported heavy gunfire in Juba after Mr Kiir's declaration.