``These forest fires and the smog issue has become a shared problem within ASEAN,'' Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Sulaiman Abdul Manan told Reuters, referring to the Association of South East Asian Nations.

``But if we want to discuss the issue we should focus on efforts to put out the fires and how to handle the smog.''

ASEAN foreign ministers are due to meet in Bangkok on July 24 and 25, and some environmental groups have urged the regional body to address the latest smog outbreak.

Though the smog over parts of Malaysia and Thailand has begun to lift during the last few days, fires lit by plantation companies clearing land on Sumatra still burn.

The smog reached as far north as Thailand Wednesday and had covered much of peninsular Malaysia since the weekend.

But weathermen said the smog could increase again if winds change direction or expected rains do not arrive to douse the fires.

Indonesia has played down fears the smog could have the same impact on Southeast Asia as in 1997, when smog from the burning of five million hectares (12.35 million acres) of land triggered widespread health problems and drove away tourists.

But Jakarta has also admitted it has no strategy to put out the fires.

Manan said he believed other members of the 10-member ASEAN would not blame Jakarta and would help put out the fires.

``Maybe by discussing the issue, we'll have a chance to tell our ASEAN colleagues what kind of problems we are facing in handling the fires. Together we may be able to come out with a solution,'' Manan said.

ASEAN has previously proved largely powerless to deal with the smog issue for fear, some analysts say, of getting tough with regional heavyweight Jakarta. The group also eschews direct interference in the internal affairs of member states.

The grouping comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Error: Unable to read footer file.