Armenia PM: no way to settle conflict via diplomacy

Armenia's prime minister said Wednesday that Azerbaijan's aggressive stance in 25-day conflict over Nagor-Karabakh leaves room for diplomacy and urged citizens to sign up as military volunteers to protect ir country.

In a live video dress on Facebook, Nikol Pashinian said that all Armenians must "take up arms and defend Morland".

"re is way w to settle Nagor-Karabakh issue through diplomacy," Pashinian said.

Armenian leer urged local mayors to organize volunteer units charging that Azerbaijan's uncompromising posture has shattered hopes for a political settlement.

On Friday, Armenia and Azerbaijan's foreign ministers are due to meet U.S. Secretary of State in Washington.

On Wednesday y held separate talks with Russia's foreign minister.

Nagor-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been under control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a war re ended in 1994.

current fighting that started on Sept. 27 marks biggest escalation in conflict since war's end.

Two Russia-brokered cease-fires frayed immediately after entering force, and warring parties have continued to tre blows with heavy artillery, rockets and drones.

According to Nagor-Karabakh officials, 834 of ir troops have been killed, and more than 30 civilians.

Azerbaijan hasn't disclosed its military losses, but says 63 civilians have died and 292 have been wounded.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev said that to end hostilities Armenian forces must withdraw from Nagor-Karabakh.

He has insisted that Azerbaijan has right to reclaim its territory by force after nearly three deces of international mediation yielded progress.

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