The disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region is running short of food due to a blockade now well into its second week, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was quoted as saying on Thursday, blaming Azerbaijan.

According to Armenia's Hetq news site, Pashinyan told his cabinet that the humanitarian situation was "extremely tense as a result of the illegal blockade by Azerbaijan of the Lachin corridor," which links Armenia with the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Pashinyan said that he had proposed terms to Azerbaijan for lifting the blockade.

There has been no comment from Azerbaijan on Pashinyan's latest remarks. 

But last week, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ayhan Hadjizadeh denied the accusation, saying "civilian transport can move freely in both directions."

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at loggerheads over the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh since 1988. 

Peace talks have been held since 1994, when a cease-fire was agreed on, but there have been sporadic minor clashes since then. A new round of armed conflict broke out along the contact line on September 27, 2020, before Russia brokered a new cease-fire agreement on November 9, 2020. 

In August, the two countries again traded accusations of violating cease-fire agreement and launching provocations in the disputed region.

(With input from agencies)