Azerbaijan’s highest Muslim cleric, Sheikh-ul Islam HaciAllahsukur Pasazada, has replied to a call by Armenian Catholicos Karekin II tohelp ease tensions between the two countries after more than 20 soldiers werekilled in clashes in the past two weeks.

Pasazada, head of the Baku-based Board of Muslims of theCaucasus (BMC), said in a statement on the BMC website that Armenia needs topull its army out of Azerbaijan’s occupied territory for peace to be restoredbetween the two neighbors.

“To restore peace and rebuild confidence between the peoples ofAzerbaijan and Armenia, we call upon you to use your influence and persuade theArmenian government to withdraw its troops from Azerbaijani territory,” Pasazadasaid.

Karekin II had sent a letter to Pasazada on August 5, urging himto help maintain peace between the two countries.

Bakudaily.Az