Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Dzung on May 8 flatly rejected the news that several Vietnamese servicemen had been embroiled in a clash that killed 26 people of the H' mong ethnic group and injured four others in Laos.

Mr Dzung said this was a groundless news story aimed at destroying the fine relationships between Vietnam and Laos.

The Vietnam-Laos relations of friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation which are based on the principle of mutual respect for each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, equal cooperation and mutual benefit have contributed to strengthening peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region, Mr Dzung stressed.