A regional coalition of Muslim non-government organisations has urged Asean governments embroiled in internal conflict to resolve their differences with opposition groups peacefully without resorting to military means.

The Kuala Lumpur-based Asean Muslim Youth Secretariat (Amsec) said the recent deterioration in three separate disputes in Aceh, Burma and Mindanao have to be dealt with quickly as prolonged confrontation would destroy Asean's reputation as a peaceful, free and neutral zone.

On the Aceh situation, Amsec said both the Indonesian military and the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) should stop their offensive immediately and return to the negotiation table to settle their differences.