International   

ASEAN meet deplores Israel

P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Tuesday denounced Israel's incursion into Lebanon, with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi voicing outright condemnation.

The Foreign Ministers of the 10 ASEAN member-states, who met in Kuala Lumpur for their annual session, said they "are gravely concerned over the deteriorating situation and the escalation of violence in the Middle East [West Asia], particularly the disproportionate, indiscriminate, and excessive use of force by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and in Lebanon."

Noting that the current situation was "triggered by the capture of two Israeli soldiers," the Ministers said they "condemn all acts of terror, violence, and destruction."

While the Ministers called for an immediate ceasefire under U.N. supervision, Mr. Abdullah Badawi, chairman of both the non-aligned movement and the Organisation of Islamic Conference, was harsher on Israel.

Saying "we should condemn" it, he told the Ministers that "we should not tolerate Israel's excessive military reprisals against Lebanon."

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Sri Lanka decision on bank accounts stirs a row
Syria welcomes Lebanese refugees
Pitched battle for key town
ASEAN meet deplores Israel
ARF meet to focus on security issues
Possible lakes on Saturn moon
Where focus is everything
Reaching out to the sinners
America "knows" Pakistan's plans
Saudi King warns of regional war
2.5 million Afghans facing food shortage
Deadlock at Kosovo meet
Stranded sailors rescued
China prepares for storm
Vested interests to blame: PoK Prime Minister
Pakistan to push for Kashmir settlement
Mother-in-law told to pay damages
Moon, Tharoor top contenders

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu