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STORY: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday (December 17) opposing factions in South Sudan must prevent tensions from escalating, and that political differences must be resolved. He was speaking during a visit to Tacloban, a typhoon-hit city in central Philippines.
The United Nations received reports from local sources in South Sudan on Tuesday (December 16) that between 400 and 500 people had been killed and up to 800 wounded in the latest violence, and the government said it had arrested 10 politicians in connection with a "foiled coup".
Kerry called for a peaceful resolution of political disputes.
"I saw it first hand how devoted, dedicated the people of South Sudan were and are, and how they have endured many years of conflict and sacrificed far too much for their country to now go backwards and descend back into violence.
Political differences need to be resolved by peaceful and democratic means and