Canada is calling for a de-escalation and a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East, with the situation ‘quite grave’, its foreign minister Anita Anand said on Wednesday on the sidelines of an ASEAN meeting.

Middle East Tensions

Anand said Ottawa remained committed to protecting civilian lives and critical infrastructure in conflict zones, while also expressing concern over the latest confrontation between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea.

Anand said Canada would ‘always call for de-escalation, a ceasefire, and respect for humanitarian considerations and human life’ as fighting in the Middle East intensified.

‘The situation is quite grave, and we very much hope that parties will come to the table and ensure that the permanent ceasefire is negotiated and held,’ she said, adding that hospitals, schools and other civilian infrastructure must be protected.

South China Sea Dispute

Anand also said Canada remains concerned about the latest maritime incident involving the Philippines and China. ‘Without question, the incident is troubling, and we are concerned,’ Anand said. ‘We do not agree with intimidation as a means of addressing disputes.’

Canada supports resolving maritime disputes under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and reiterated Ottawa’s longstanding support for a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific.’

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.