THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) appealed for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East and called all parties concerned to exercise utmost self-restraint and to respect international law. The Asean said it has been monitoring the situation in the Middle East and expressed serious concern over the escalation of the conflict following the attacks initiated by Israel and the United States against Iran on Feb. 28. They expressed similar concerns over Iran’s retaliatory attacks against Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — some of which host US military bases. In a joint statement on Wednesday, the Asean foreign ministers urged concerned parties to “avoid any acts that may further aggravate the situation.” They raised the need to “resolve differences through diplomacy and dialogue in the interest of maintaining peace and stability in the region.” The Asean, which includes the Philippines, said the escalating war in the Middle East poses a grave threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability.” “We also reemphasize the shared commitment to provide emergency assistance to Asean nationals, especially during this time,” they said. There are over 2.4 million Filipinos in the Middle East. This figure is broken down as follows: 973,000 in the UAE; 813,000 in Saudi Arabia; 250,000 in Qatar; 211,000 in Kuwait; 56,000 in Bahrain; 49,000 in Oman; 41,600 in Jordan (including Palestine); 31,000 in Israel; 14,000 in Lebanon; 1,600 in Iraq; 800 in Iran; and 700 in Syria. “This escalation [of hostilities] is particularly regrettable as it occurred amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including mediation initiatives led by Oman aimed at advancing a negotiated solution,” the Asean leaders said. “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 added. The Asean reiterated the obligations of governments to protect civilians and civilian infrastructures in armed conflicts consistent with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. “We call on all countries to respect international law, including the United Nations Charter,” they added.