In a unanimous statement, the council condemned the fighting "in the strongest terms" and expressed "particular shock and outrage" at attacks on UN sites.

It also called for additional peacekeepers as a response.

Hundreds are reported killed in clashes between rival groups since Friday.

Forces loyal to Vice-President Riek Machar say government troops supporting President Salva Kiir attacked their positions in the capital, Juba.

A spokesman for Mr Machar told the BBC on Sunday that the country was "back to war" - but Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth described reports of war as "dishonest".

Calm was restored on Saturday, but fighting resumed on Sunday morning.

(BBC News)