PHNOM PENH A landmark breakthrough in resolving the battle of sovereign claims in the hotly-disputed Spratly Islands was hailed Saturday as a genuine move towards ensuring regional and global security.

Under the agreement struck between the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China all parties will refrain from activities that would escalate tensions in the South China Seas.

It will also call on all countries to help any person in distress in an area that has proved prone to military skirmishes over the past two decades.

"Malaysia is extremely happy with the breakthrough," a Malaysian foreign ministry source said. "The signing represents a major turning point for all claimant countries."

"We are living in difficult times amid the threat of terrorism and it will send a positive signal to the international community that all countries in the region are committed to ensuring and preserving peace and stability."

ASEAN Secretary General Rodolfo Severino told AFP the declaration of conduct was reached Friday after last-minute consultations before this year's ASEAN summit that begins on Monday.

"Basically, we are saying that pending the resolution of the jurisdictional and territorial disputes, this is how we should behave: We should not occupy uninhabited land features (in the South China Sea)," Severino told AFP .

Tuesday signing

ASEAN's chief spokesman, M.C. Abad, went further saying the agreement, to be signed here on Tuesday, will help de-escalate tensions in the region and is an "important contribution to the cause of regional and global peace."

One senior Western diplomat said: "It is a major breakthrough, a very welcomed one, and we've been waiting for this for years."

The agreement was made after marathon negotiations chaired by Chem Widhya, permanent secretary from Cambodia's foreign ministry.

Four ASEAN countries at the center of the disputes Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Vietnam reached an agreement on the common text on October 11, he said.

The remaining six ASEAN members Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand approved the text on October 31. China gave its agreement on Friday.

Vietnam and China have clashed twice over the Spratly Islands, in 1988 and 1992, while skirmishes have also occurred between other countries, antagonising relations while threatening to undermine regional security.

It is believed the archipelago sits on top of vast reserves of oil and gas, although their commercial potential has never been confirmed. The islands also flank international shipping lanes.

Two obstacles

ASEAN sources said two obstacles in reaching a final agreement was the scope of the area involved and whether the Spratlys would be named in the declaration.

Both issues were resolved by encompassing the entire South China Seas and not mentioning any area in particular.

"Within 15 days we have gone from one landmark step to another," Chem Widhya said. "This is a major political and diplomatic agreement."

Beijing's approval for the agreement was made as Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji arrived here for the two-day ASEAN summit, which will draw leaders from 15 countries. AFP