In a joint statement issued after their meeting, the two leaders called for an end to the violence targeting civilian populations, and discussed the need for a strong international community response to the hundreds of thousands who have been victimised and displaced by violence, including those who have fled to Bangladesh.

Both leaders urged the Myanmar government to end the violence against innocents and ensure humanitarian relief reaches victims immediately.

“We wanted a strong statement on the Rohingya and we got it. We worked together with the White House and they were supportive of the statement,” he told the Malaysian media at the end of his three-day working visit to Washington on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister said the ongoing crisis was a humanitarian issue which should be the concern of all. “Even within Asean, as a community, what is happening to the Rohingya is an affront to the ideals and values that we should uphold. Within Asean, we have different opinions on how this should be dealt with. But we take the position that what is happening is totally unacceptable,” said Najib.

He explained that Malaysia was not interfering in the affairs of another country but when it impinges on the image, interest and security of other Asean countries, Kuala Lumpur was obliged to give its opinion and take whatever steps deemed appropriate.