ASEAN Urges Diplomacy, Immediate Cessation Of Hostilities In Middle East

JAKARTA, March 4 (Bernama) -- ASEAN has urged restraint and an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, following days of large-scale United States (US) and Israel offensives against Iran.

In a joint statement issued by ASEAN foreign ministers on Wednesday, the regional bloc called on all parties to avoid any acts that might further aggravate the situation and to resolve their differences through diplomacy and dialogue in the interest of maintaining peace and stability in the region.

“This escalation is particularly regrettable as it occurred amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including mediation initiatives led by Oman aimed at advancing a negotiated solution,” the ministers said.

The ministers express serious concern over the heightened tensions in the Middle East which pose a grave threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability.

The ministers called on all countries to respect international law.

“We reaffirm the obligation of all states to resolve their differences through peaceful means and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, in line with international law, including the UN Charter,” they said.

The ministers also reiterated the obligation of parties to armed conflicts to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

ASEAN further re-emphasised the shared commitment to provide emergency assistance to citizens of ASEAN nations, especially during this time.

This is in accordance with the ASEAN Declaration on the Guidelines on Consular Assistance by ASEAN Member States’ Missions in Third Countries to Nationals of Other ASEAN Member State, and the Guidelines for the Provision of Emergency Assistance by ASEAN Missions in Third Countries to Nationals of ASEAN Member Countries in Crisis Situations.

-- BERNAMA