dpa
The United States has spoken with Armenia's government and opposition leaders to urge a resumption of political dialogue and an end to violent clashes, U.S. officials said late Saturday."Both sides are responsible for helping to re-establish order and return to political dialogue. Any unlawful actions such as violence and looting worsen the situation and must stop," Sean McCormack, spokesman for the U.S. State Department, said in a statement.
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried had spoken with Armenian Prime Minisiter Serzh Sarkisian, while the US charge d'affaires in Armenia had been in touch with the opposition.
"The U.S. deeply regrets todays unrest in Yerevan, Armenia, and calls on all sides to avoid further violence, act fully within the law, exercise maximum restraint, and resume political dialogue," McCormack said.
"We hope that the state of emergency declared today will be lifted promptly and that political dialogue resumes," McCormack said.