ASEAN foreign ministers back 'Myanmar-owned and led' solution to crisis

Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Monday pressed for an end to Myanmar's bloody crisis and expressed unity in their backing for an ASEAN peace plan and a "Myanmar-owned and led solution" to the conflict.

The ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were attending a retreat in Luang Prabang in Laos, which is chair this year of the 10-member bloc.

In a statement, they also called for a cessation of hostilities in Myanmar to allow delivery of humanitarian aid, and concerning the South China Sea, urged a conducive environment for the furthering of talks towards a code of conduct between ASEAN and China.