Southeast Asia’s top diplomats condemn Myanmar violence

VIENTIANE, Laos — Southeast Asia's top diplomats on Saturday condemned violence in Myanmar's ongoing civil war and urged for “practical” means to defuse rising tensions in the South China Sea during the last of the three-day regional talks with allies that included the United States, Russia and China. Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith of Laos, which currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, hailed dialogue partners for “frank, candid and constructive exchanges” on key issues revolving around regional security.