ASEAN foreign ministers condemn bombings in Jakarta

PHUKET, July 18 (TNA) – Foreign ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Saturday issued a statement condemning Friday’s bombings in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta in which many people were killed and wounded.

“The ASEAN Foreign Ministers strongly condemn the bombings in Jakarta on 17 July 2009, which caused loss of innocent lives and injuries,” said the statement.

The statement said the ministers supported the Indonesian government’s effort to “bring the perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice.”

It said: “ASEAN stands united with the government and people of Indonesia and remains steadfast in our continued fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”

Foreign ministers of ASEAN will hold meetings in the Thai southern resort of Phuket from Sunday to Thursday in the coming week. (TNA)