ASEAN foreign ministers call for MidEast ceasefire

FOREIGN ministers of the 11-member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the escalating situation in the Middle East and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

- BY ASHZEL HACHERO

In a statement, ASEAN foreign ministers said the attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iran and the latter's retaliatory attacks against several countries in the region, including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates, which heighten tensions in the Middle East, pose a grave threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as regional and global peace and stability.

“We call on all countries to respect international law, including the Charter of the United Nations,” the statement said.

The foreign ministers said it is regrettable that the escalation happened amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including mediation initiatives by Oman, aimed at advancing a negotiated solution to the crisis.

“We emphasize the importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities and call on all parties concerned to exercise utmost self-restraint, avoid any acts that may further aggravate the situation, and resolve differences through diplomacy and dialogue in the interest of maintaining peace and stability in the region,” they added.

The foreign ministers also called on all parties to resolve their differences through peaceful means and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, in line with international law, including the UN Charter.

"We further reiterate the obligations to protect civilians and civilian infrastructures in armed conflicts consistent with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions," the statement said.

The foreign ministers also expressed their government's readiness to help ASEAN citizens caught up in the conflict zone, although the statement did not provide what emergency assistance would be provided, or whether this includes evacuation.