themoscowtimes--2020-10-10--Armenia, Azerbaijan Agree Karabakh Ceasefire

`` Concrete parameters of the ceasefire will be agreed separately , '' the statement added .
During the ceasefire — mediated by the International Committee of the Red Cross — the parties will exchange bodies and prisoners , Lavrov said , reading from a statement .
It was not immediately clear whether the pause in fighting would come into effect at noon in Moscow or the local time in Karabakh .
Speaking after 11 hours of Moscow-mediated talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan , Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the warring sides had agreed to a ceasefire from `` 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humanitarian grounds . ''
Bitter fighting in the South Caucasian region has claimed hundreds of lives , forced thousands to flee , and stirred fears of a full-blown war that could suck in regional powers Turkey and Russia .
Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed on Saturday to a ceasefire and to begin `` substantive talks '' over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh after nearly two weeks of fierce clashes .
Russia 's top diplomat also said that Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to start negotiating a peaceful solution to the territorial dispute .
`` Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purpose of achieving a peaceful settlement as soon as possible , '' Lavrov told reporters , adding that such talks would be mediated by France , Russia and the US .
Renewed fighting over Karabakh — an ethnic Armenian region of Azerbaijan that broke from Baku 's control in a devastating war in the early 1990s — has claimed some 400 lives and forced thousands of people from their homes .
The heavy clashes erupted late last month , with both sides blaming the other for the biggest outbreak in violence since a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in limbo .
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev , who has repeatedly vowed to use his military to retake the breakaway province , said earlier that the talks represented a historic opportunity for Armenia .
`` We are giving Armenia a chance to settle the conflict peacefully , '' he said .
`` This is their last chance . ''
Armenia 's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said his country was `` ready for the resumption of the peace process '' led by international brokers .
Heavy clashes continued into Friday , Armenian and Azerbaijani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths reported , even after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the Moscow meeting and appealed for a ceasefire on humanitarian grounds .
Shelling started again in Stepanakert , the provincial capital of Karabakh , where an AFP journalist heard several explosions and saw the remains of a rocket in a crater next to a cemetery for dead soldiers .
A spokesman for the Armenian defence ministry told reporters on Friday that fighting continued despite the negotiations in Moscow .
The region 's declaration of independence has not been recognised by any country — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regards it as part of Azerbaijan .
The return of fighting has stoked fears in the West of a full-blown war embroiling Turkey , which strongly backs Azerbaijan , and Russia , which has a military treaty with Armenia .
Discussions in Moscow , Azerbaijan and Armenia 's first high-level talks since the fighting broke out took place after Putin called for an end to hostilities and invited the two nations ' foreign ministers to the city .
Putin 's announcement came shortly after mediators from France , Russia and the U.S. — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — launched efforts in Geneva to end the latest flare-up .
The group has sought a solution to the Karabakh conflict for decades but has failed to stop sporadic outbreaks of fighting .
Negotiations in Geneva went ahead without Armenia , which refused to participate while the fighting was ongoing , and there were no public statements following the closed-door talks .
Since the conflict restarted both sides have accused the other of shelling areas populated by civilians and thousands of people have been displaced by the clashes .
Stepanakert is dotted with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of shelling .
AFP journalists have also witnessed destruction in villages in Azerbaijan near the front line .
Armenia accused Azerbaijan on Thursday of hitting the Ghazanchetsots ( Holy Saviour ) Cathedral leaving a gaping hole in its roof and several journalists injured .
Armenia 's rights ombudsman Artak Beglaryan told AFP this week that the fighting has displaced around half of Karabakh 's 140,000 residents and forced some 90 % of its women and children from their homes .
Dozens of civilians have been confirmed killed and the Armenian side has acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not admitted to any fatalities among its troops .

"Concrete parameters of the ceasefire will be agreed separately," the statement added.
During the ceasefire — mediated by the International Committee of the Red Cross — the parties will exchange bodies and prisoners, Lavrov said, reading from a statement.
It was not immediately clear whether the pause in fighting would come into effect at noon in Moscow or the local time in Karabakh.
Speaking after 11 hours of Moscow-mediated talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the warring sides had agreed to a ceasefire from "12 hours 00 minutes on October 10 on humanitarian grounds."
Bitter fighting in the South Caucasian region has claimed hundreds of lives, forced thousands to flee, and stirred fears of a full-blown war that could suck in regional powers Turkey and Russia.
Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed on Saturday to a ceasefire and to begin "substantive talks" over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh after nearly two weeks of fierce clashes.
Russia's top diplomat also said that Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to start negotiating a peaceful solution to the territorial dispute.
"Azerbaijan and Armenia begin substantive negotiations with the purpose of achieving a peaceful settlement as soon as possible," Lavrov told reporters, adding that such talks would be mediated by France, Russia and the US.
Renewed fighting over Karabakh — an ethnic Armenian region of Azerbaijan that broke from Baku's control in a devastating war in the early 1990s — has claimed some 400 lives and forced thousands of people from their homes.
The heavy clashes erupted late last month, with both sides blaming the other for the biggest outbreak in violence since a 1994 ceasefire left the status of Karabakh in limbo.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who has repeatedly vowed to use his military to retake the breakaway province, said earlier that the talks represented a historic opportunity for Armenia.
"We are giving Armenia a chance to settle the conflict peacefully," he said. "This is their last chance."
Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said his country was "ready for the resumption of the peace process" led by international brokers.
Heavy clashes continued into Friday, Armenian and Azerbaijani defence officials said, with further civilian deaths reported, even after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the Moscow meeting and appealed for a ceasefire on humanitarian grounds.
Shelling started again in Stepanakert, the provincial capital of Karabakh, where an AFP journalist heard several explosions and saw the remains of a rocket in a crater next to a cemetery for dead soldiers.
A spokesman for the Armenian defence ministry told reporters on Friday that fighting continued despite the negotiations in Moscow.
Mediation efforts
The region's declaration of independence has not been recognised by any country — even Armenia — and the international community regards it as part of Azerbaijan.
The return of fighting has stoked fears in the West of a full-blown war embroiling Turkey, which strongly backs Azerbaijan, and Russia, which has a military treaty with Armenia.
Discussions in Moscow, Azerbaijan and Armenia's first high-level talks since the fighting broke out took place after Putin called for an end to hostilities and invited the two nations' foreign ministers to the city.
Putin's announcement came shortly after mediators from France, Russia and the U.S. — known as the "Minsk Group" — launched efforts in Geneva to end the latest flare-up.
The group has sought a solution to the Karabakh conflict for decades but has failed to stop sporadic outbreaks of fighting.
Negotiations in Geneva went ahead without Armenia, which refused to participate while the fighting was ongoing, and there were no public statements following the closed-door talks.
Mounting civilian toll
Since the conflict restarted both sides have accused the other of shelling areas populated by civilians and thousands of people have been displaced by the clashes.
Stepanakert is dotted with damaged buildings and unexploded ordnance following days of shelling. AFP journalists have also witnessed destruction in villages in Azerbaijan near the front line.
Armenia accused Azerbaijan on Thursday of hitting the Ghazanchetsots (Holy Saviour) Cathedral leaving a gaping hole in its roof and several journalists injured.
Armenia's rights ombudsman Artak Beglaryan told AFP this week that the fighting has displaced around half of Karabakh's 140,000 residents and forced some 90% of its women and children from their homes.
Dozens of civilians have been confirmed killed and the Armenian side has acknowledged 350 military deaths, while Azerbaijan has not admitted to any fatalities among its troops.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-10--Armenia, Azerbaijan Trade Accusations Over Karabakh Ceasefire

Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to the ceasefire after 11 hours of talks in Moscow but it took only minutes after the deadline for their forces to claim new attacks .
An AFP journalist in Stepanakert said some explosions were heard in the distance after the ceasefire came into force , but there was none of the bombing that hit the city in recent days .
The agreement , which was reached in the early hours of Saturday and took effect at noon , did seem to be having some impact , with the regional capital Stepanakert calmer after days of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new attacks on Saturday in breach of a ceasefire deal to halt nearly two weeks of fierce fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region .
An ethnic Armenian enclave of Azerbaijan , Karabakh broke from the country 's control in a war in the 1990s that killed some 30,000 people .
Its separatist government is strongly backed by Armenia , which like Azerbaijan gained independence with the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union , and Baku accuses Yerevan of occupying the region .
The clashes that erupted on Sept. 27 have been the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 450 people reported dead , thousands forced to flee their homes and fears the fighting could escalate into a devastating all-out conflict .
Armenian defence ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan said that `` in disregard of the previously declared humanitarian ceasefire '' Azerbaijani forces launched an attack on the frontline at 12:05 pm .
Azerbaijan 's defence ministry said Armenian forces had also carried out attacks on the frontline and shelled populated areas .
`` Armenia is blatantly violating the ceasefire regime , '' the ministry said in a statement .
Armenian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were being made `` using all diplomatic channels '' to implement the agreement .
In Stepanakert , sirens that had sounded for days to warn of attacks had stopped and some residents were emerging from shelters to get supplies .
But few had much hope of the ceasefire taking hold for long .
`` I lived for nearly 20 years in Azerbaijan , these people hate us , '' Vladimir Barseghyan , 64 , told AFP in a workshop making uniforms for fighters at the front .
`` We do n't believe in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gain some time . ''
In Barda , an Azerbaijani town about 40 kilometers ( 25 miles ) from the conflict zone , many residents who spoke to AFP were against the ceasefire and in favour of Baku pressing on with its campaign to restore its control of Karabakh .
`` We do n't want a ceasefire .
They should leave our lands , '' said Zemfira Mammadova , a 71-year-old retiree .
`` They should get out and let our people live a normal life .
We have nothing to do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us . ''
The ceasefire deal was announced after talks between the two countries ' top diplomats mediated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov .
He said the truce had been agreed `` on humanitarian grounds '' and would allow for exchanges of prisoners and bodies .
A senior Azerbaijani official said the truce was only meant to be `` temporary '' .
`` It 's a humanitarian ceasefire to exchange bodies and prisoners .
It 's not a ( proper ) ceasefire , '' the official said , adding that Baku had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its effort to retake control of Karabakh .
Lavrov said that Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed at the Moscow talks to `` substantive negotiations '' on resolving the dispute over Karabakh , with France , Russia and the United States continuing as longtime mediators .
France called for the ceasefire to be strictly respected `` in order to create the conditions for a permanent cessation of hostilities . ''
Karabakh 's declaration of independence has not been recognised by any country — even Armenia — and the international community regards it as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has stoked fears of a full-blown war embroiling Turkey , which strongly backs Azerbaijan , and Russia , which has a military treaty with Armenia .
Turkey said the ceasefire agreement was an important first step but that Armenia had a `` last chance '' to withdraw from Karabakh .
Since the conflict restarted both sides have accused the other of shelling areas populated by civilians and thousands of people have been displaced by the clashes .
Stepanakert is dotted with damaged buildings and unexploded ordnance following days of shelling .
AFP journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijan near the front line .
More than 50 civilians have been confirmed killed on both sides and the Armenians have acknowledged over 400 military deaths , while Azerbaijan has not admitted to any fatalities among its troops .

Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to the ceasefire after 11 hours of talks in Moscow but it took only minutes after the deadline for their forces to claim new attacks.
An AFP journalist in Stepanakert said some explosions were heard in the distance after the ceasefire came into force, but there was none of the bombing that hit the city in recent days.
The agreement, which was reached in the early hours of Saturday and took effect at noon, did seem to be having some impact, with the regional capital Stepanakert calmer after days of shelling.
Armenia and Azerbaijan traded accusations of new attacks on Saturday in breach of a ceasefire deal to halt nearly two weeks of fierce fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
An ethnic Armenian enclave of Azerbaijan, Karabakh broke from the country's control in a war in the 1990s that killed some 30,000 people.
Its separatist government is strongly backed by Armenia, which like Azerbaijan gained independence with the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, and Baku accuses Yerevan of occupying the region.
The clashes that erupted on Sept. 27 have been the heaviest since the 1990s war, with more than 450 people reported dead, thousands forced to flee their homes and fears the fighting could escalate into a devastating all-out conflict.
Armenian defence ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan said that "in disregard of the previously declared humanitarian ceasefire" Azerbaijani forces launched an attack on the frontline at 12:05 pm.
Azerbaijan's defence ministry said Armenian forces had also carried out attacks on the frontline and shelled populated areas.
"Armenia is blatantly violating the ceasefire regime," the ministry said in a statement.
Armenian foreign ministry spokeswoman Anna Nagdalyan said efforts were being made "using all diplomatic channels" to implement the agreement.
'These people hate us'
In Stepanakert, sirens that had sounded for days to warn of attacks had stopped and some residents were emerging from shelters to get supplies. But few had much hope of the ceasefire taking hold for long.
"I lived for nearly 20 years in Azerbaijan, these people hate us," Vladimir Barseghyan, 64, told AFP in a workshop making uniforms for fighters at the front. "We don't believe in a ceasefire, they just want to gain some time."
In Barda, an Azerbaijani town about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the conflict zone, many residents who spoke to AFP were against the ceasefire and in favour of Baku pressing on with its campaign to restore its control of Karabakh.
"We don't want a ceasefire. They should leave our lands," said Zemfira Mammadova, a 71-year-old retiree.
"They should get out and let our people live a normal life. We have nothing to do with them and they should stay away from us."
The ceasefire deal was announced after talks between the two countries' top diplomats mediated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
He said the truce had been agreed "on humanitarian grounds" and would allow for exchanges of prisoners and bodies.
A senior Azerbaijani official said the truce was only meant to be "temporary".
"It's a humanitarian ceasefire to exchange bodies and prisoners. It's not a (proper) ceasefire," the official said, adding that Baku had "no intention to backtrack" on its effort to retake control of Karabakh.
Call for 'substantive negotiations'
Lavrov said that Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed at the Moscow talks to "substantive negotiations" on resolving the dispute over Karabakh, with France, Russia and the United States continuing as longtime mediators.
France called for the ceasefire to be strictly respected "in order to create the conditions for a permanent cessation of hostilities."
Karabakh's declaration of independence has not been recognised by any country — even Armenia — and the international community regards it as part of Azerbaijan.
The return of fighting has stoked fears of a full-blown war embroiling Turkey, which strongly backs Azerbaijan, and Russia, which has a military treaty with Armenia.
Turkey said the ceasefire agreement was an important first step but that Armenia had a "last chance" to withdraw from Karabakh.
Since the conflict restarted both sides have accused the other of shelling areas populated by civilians and thousands of people have been displaced by the clashes.
Stepanakert is dotted with damaged buildings and unexploded ordnance following days of shelling. AFP journalists have also witnessed destruction in villages in Azerbaijan near the front line.
More than 50 civilians have been confirmed killed on both sides and the Armenians have acknowledged over 400 military deaths, while Azerbaijan has not admitted to any fatalities among its troops.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-11--Heavy Shelling and Civilian Casualties Dash Hopes for Karabakh Ceasefire

Hopes that a Russian-brokered ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan might hold were further dashed Sunday , with both sides accusing the other of intense shelling on civilian areas and escalating two weeks of fierce clashes .
Azerbaijan 's foreign ministry said that overnight shelling by Armenian forces on the country 's second largest city , Ganja , had left seven people dead and 33 wounded including children , less than 24 hours after the halt to fighting was supposed to take effect .
Rescuers in red helmets dug through piles of debris with their bare hands in search of signs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city reported .
They retrieved one nearly naked body and gingerly put it in a white bag to be taken away in an ambulance while several horrified residents watched on and wept .
One witness said they were woken by a huge blast that leveled an entire square block of one- and two-floor houses in the early hours of the morning , leaving nine apartments destroyed .
`` Everything I 've worked for my entire life has been destroyed , '' said resident Zagit Aliyev , 68 .
The agreement to pause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bodies of people killed after two weeks of fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region was approved by Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in marathon Russia-brokered talks in Moscow .
The truce officially entered into force at noon on Saturday but both sides almost immediately accused each other of violations .
On Sunday , the defense ministry in the breakaway region insisted Armenian forces were respecting the humanitarian ceasefire and in turn accused Azerbaijan of shelling civilian-populated areas .
Claims that Armenian forces were responsible for shelling Ganja were `` an absolute lie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region , Arayik Harutyunyan , described the situation as `` calmer '' on Sunday , but warned that the truce was precarious .

Hopes that a Russian-brokered ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan might hold were further dashed Sunday, with both sides accusing the other of intense shelling on civilian areas and escalating two weeks of fierce clashes.
Azerbaijan's foreign ministry said that overnight shelling by Armenian forces on the country's second largest city, Ganja, had left seven people dead and 33 wounded including children, less than 24 hours after the halt to fighting was supposed to take effect.
Rescuers in red helmets dug through piles of debris with their bare hands in search of signs of survivors, an AFP journalist in the city reported.
They retrieved one nearly naked body and gingerly put it in a white bag to be taken away in an ambulance while several horrified residents watched on and wept.
One witness said they were woken by a huge blast that leveled an entire square block of one- and two-floor houses in the early hours of the morning, leaving nine apartments destroyed.
"Everything I've worked for my entire life has been destroyed," said resident Zagit Aliyev, 68.
The agreement to pause hostilities in order to exchange prisoners and the bodies of people killed after two weeks of fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region was approved by Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in marathon Russia-brokered talks in Moscow.
'An absolute lie'
The truce officially entered into force at noon on Saturday but both sides almost immediately accused each other of violations.
On Sunday, the defense ministry in the breakaway region insisted Armenian forces were respecting the humanitarian ceasefire and in turn accused Azerbaijan of shelling civilian-populated areas.
Claims that Armenian forces were responsible for shelling Ganja were "an absolute lie," it added.
The leader of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, Arayik Harutyunyan, described the situation as "calmer" on Sunday, but warned that the truce was precarious.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-11--Russia Breaks Single-Day Record for Coronavirus Cases for 3rd Straight Day

Russia , which has the world ’ s fourth-highest number of infections at 1,298,718 cases , has seen its daily caseload double over the past month .
Russia confirmed 13,634 new coronavirus cases Sunday , setting a record for new infections as authorities at the epicenter of the outbreak consider new restrictions to slow the spread of the disease .
According to the tally compiled by the national coronavirus information center , a total of 22,579 Russians have died , with 149 fatalities confirmed Sunday .
Monthly data published by Russia ’ s statistics agency suggests that the real number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure .
Moscow , the epicenter of Russia ’ s Covid-19 outbreak with 4,501 new cases , has seen a 53 % rise in new infections over the past week .
Reports citing unnamed sources suggest that Moscow City Hall is considering closing night clubs , pubs and karaoke clubs to slow the spread of the virus .
“ We need to cut down the number of people in the city , otherwise we ’ ll arrive at the same restrictions we ’ ve seen in spring , ” an unnamed official told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the city of 12.7 million had shut non-essential businesses and imposed strict self-isolation rules enforced by digital passes and a tracking app for infected individuals .
Moscow lifted the restrictions in June ahead of a major military parade and a vote on constitutional changes that grant President Vladimir Putin the power to extend his rule into 2036 .

Russia, which has the world’s fourth-highest number of infections at 1,298,718 cases, has seen its daily caseload double over the past month.
Russia confirmed 13,634 new coronavirus cases Sunday, setting a record for new infections as authorities at the epicenter of the outbreak consider new restrictions to slow the spread of the disease.
According to the tally compiled by the national coronavirus information center, a total of 22,579 Russians have died, with 149 fatalities confirmed Sunday. Monthly data published by Russia’s statistics agency suggests that the real number of fatalities is at least double that figure.
Moscow, the epicenter of Russia’s Covid-19 outbreak with 4,501 new cases, has seen a 53% rise in new infections over the past week.
Reports citing unnamed sources suggest that Moscow City Hall is considering closing night clubs, pubs and karaoke clubs to slow the spread of the virus.
“We need to cut down the number of people in the city, otherwise we’ll arrive at the same restrictions we’ve seen in spring,” an unnamed official told the RBC news website.
This spring, the city of 12.7 million had shut non-essential businesses and imposed strict self-isolation rules enforced by digital passes and a tracking app for infected individuals. Moscow lifted the restrictions in June ahead of a major military parade and a vote on constitutional changes that grant President Vladimir Putin the power to extend his rule into 2036.