Jakarta (ANTARA) - ASEAN leaders have reached a consensus on handling the political crisis in Myanmar following a military coup against the country's democratically elected government in February this year.
"We recognize ASEAN’s positive and constructive role in facilitating (a) peaceful solution in the interests of the Myanmar people and their livelihood, for which we endorse the five-point consensus," the ASEAN chairman said in a statement issued at the end of the ASEAN leaders’ meeting in Jakarta on Saturday.
The five-point consensus calls for an immediate halt to violence in Myanmar and for all parties to exercise self-restraint, besides a constructive dialog among all interested parties to find a peaceful solution in the interests of the Myanmar people.
It also seeks the creation of an ASEAN special envoy to facilitate mediation and dialog with the help of the ASEAN Secretariat General, acceptance of ASEAN's humanitarian assistance through the AHA Center, and a visit by the special envoy and a delegation to Myanmar to meet with all parties involved in the crisis.
In the ASEAN chairman's statement, ASEAN leaders also expressed deep concerns over the situation in Myanmar, including reports of casualties and an escalation of tensions.
They also called for the release of all political detainees, including foreign nationals detained in Myanmar.
The ASEAN leader’s meeting is the first coordinated international effort to specifically discuss a solution to the crisis in Myanmar, which has been engulfed in conflict and violence in the wake of the military coup.
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