PAS Youth has sent an invitation letter to its Umno counterpart to participate in a protest march scheduled for Friday against the ongoing attack on Lebannon by Israeli forces.

In the letter addressed to Umno Youth chief Hishamuddin Hussein, PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub called on the former to discard political differences and join hands on humanitarian grounds.

"We welcome the participation of Umno members, especially those from Umno Youth," he said in the letter sent yesterday.

According to the letter, the protestors will march from the Kampung Baru mosque after Friday prayers to the United States embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

In another development, PAS Youth also opposed the attendance of US secretary of state Condoleeza Rice at the Asean Foreign Ministers meeting (AMM) in Kuala Lumpur.

Salahuddin said the Islamic party WAS protesting because of the US' stand and attitude regarding the ongoing crisis in the middle east.

Ministers want cease-fire

Meanwhile, the Asean foreign ministers have condemned the escalating violence in the middle east which has resulted in the deaths of innocent people and the destruction of infrastructure.

In a statement issued by the foreign ministers of Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand dan Vietnam also warned that the conflict could disrupt peace efforts.

"We view the escalation of violence seriously, discriminative actions and the use of excessive force by Israel against Palestine and Lebanon following the capture of two Israeli soldiers," they said.

The ministers also urged all parties to exercise restraint and prevent the loss of more innocent lives.

According to Bernama, the ministers have also called for an immediate cease-fire and urged the international community and the United Nations Security Council to ensure that the parties involved abide by it.