Indonesia expects Myanmar to solve its sectarian conflict:minister

Indonesia expects related parties in Myanmar to hold peace talks to prevent the spread of horizontal conflicts throughout the country, Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa said here on Thursday.

Last Wednesday (March 27) a group of people set fire to a mosque and houses in central Myanmar town. The incident was the latest outbreak of violence due to the sectarian conflict in the country that has left at least 40 people dead.

"Indonesia highly condemns the violence that has caused casualties in Myanmar. We expect related parties in Myanmar to soon hold a peace talk to end the conflict," Marty said.

As to whether Indonesia will issue a travel warning for its citizens living in Myanmar, Marty said such policy is not yet necessary.

"The number of Indonesians living in Myanmar is not big. We also have ordered Indonesian Embassy in Yangon to closely watch our citizens and warn them if the situation in the country is getting worse," said the minister. 

The United States has issued a travel warning for its citizens who wish to go to parts of the country in the wake of recent unrest.

In a statement on its website, the US Embassy in Yangon said the rioting "has resulted in strong feelings on many sides". It "strongly advised" citizens to avoid travel to the Mandalay region as well as to the Mingalar Market/Yuzana Plaza area of Yangon because of the risk of violence.

Source: ANTARA