KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 — Malaysia maintains its stance that all disputes in West Asia must be resolved peacefully to ease escalating tensions in the region, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said in a Facebook post that dialogue, diplomacy and close international cooperation is the only way to de-escalate tensions and restore stability, in line with humanitarian imperatives and principles of universal justice.
Anwar posted this after phone calls with Bahrain Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman Hamad Al Khalifa and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Al Nahyan today.
“I expressed deep concern over the prolonged tensions and their implications for regional security and the people’s well-being, while conveying condolences over the loss of lives and damage to property due to the retaliatory attacks,” he said.
Apart from discussing regional security issues, Anwar said he and the two leaders also exchanged Aidilfitri greetings and expressed hope for the well-being, peace and prosperity of their respective nations.
Regional tensions have continued to escalate since the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran on February 28.
Tehran responded by launching drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf states hosting US military assets, resulting in casualties and infrastructure damage and disrupting global markets and the aviation sector.
