UN: 'Give peace a chance' in South Sudan

The United Nations special representative to South Sudan has appealed for leaders in the country to order their forces to lay down their arms.

Heavy fighting between government forces and rebels has continued in South Sudan, even as African leaders renew their efforts to mediate between the president Salva Kiir and his rivals.

UN special representative Hilde Johnson called on the country's political leaders "to give peace a chance".