Southeast Asian nations told Myanmar's military government on Sunday its plan to hold an election amid an escalating civil war should not be its priority, urging the junta to start dialogue and end hostilities immediately.

LANGKAWI: Asean Foreign Ministers have emphasized to Myanmar the importance of achieving peace in the country over holding a national election, according to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

LANGKAWI, Malaysia - Myanmar’s military government was on Jan 19 told by Asean foreign ministers to prioritise an end to the fighting in its country over the holding of an election this year, the bloc’s chair Malaysia said.