Kuala lumpur: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Saturday urged the global community to leverage its influence, in accordance with international law, to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine, with a particular focus on the Gaza Strip.
According to Kuwait News Agency, this appeal was made by Malaysian Minister of Defense Mohammad Nordin during a gathering of ASEAN defense ministers in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia currently holds the rotating presidency of ASEAN. Nordin expressed deep concern over the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where residents are suffering from severe shortages of food and essential supplies. He called on influential nations to take decisive action to alleviate this human tragedy.
Despite the pressing concerns, the Malaysian defense minister expressed support for the comprehensive peace plan recently proposed by the United States, aimed at resolving the longstanding conflict in the Palestinian territories. He acknowledged the plan as a positive step towards peace.
Nordin also praised the diplomatic efforts of Cambodia and Thailand in resolving their border disputes peacefully, highlighting the role of dialogue and international support from countries including the U.S. and China. He emphasized the importance of enhancing trust and maintaining open communication channels to manage crises and tackle emerging security challenges effectively.