VIENTIANE, Nov. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- The two-day 10th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) closed here Tuesday evening.

    Speaking at a news conference of the conclusion of the summit, Bounnhang Vorachith, chairman of the current summit and prime minister of Laos, said that at the summit, the ASEAN leaders exchanged views on regional and international political and economic issues, including terrorism, the Korean Peninsula, the Middle East and Iraq.

    He said the ASEAN leaders strongly condemned the recent terrorist acts and reaffirmed their firm determination to strengthen their cooperation to prevent adverse impact caused by the terrorist acts on the ASEAN countries, and called for the international community to support and assist ASEAN's efforts in countering terrorism.

    He said the ASEAN leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful and comprehensive solution to the nuclear problems on theKorean Peninsula, and agreed that there is a need to continue the discussions to promote mutual confidence and common approach. In this connection, the ASEAN leaders called on all parties concernedto reconvene the six-party talks at the earliest possible date.

    The leaders expressed their concern on the violent situation inthe Middle East and called for the creation of an independent Palestinian State along with the Israeli State that will lead the Middle East to a lasting peace.

    They also expressed their concern on the grave situation in Iraq and called for the holding of an election as scheduled, and reaffirmed their position that the United Nations must continue toplay a central role in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq, Bounnhang told the news conference. Enditem