Myanmar government has vowed to cooperate fully with five faiths in the country to prevent recurrence of racial and religious conflicts, official media reported Wednesday.

In his message to the Conference of Leaders of Five Faiths in Yangon, President U Thein Sein said instability harms and delays the state reform and tarnishes the image of the nation internationally.

Citing the fundamental teachings of all faiths that in the face of a problem or a conflict, he said the problem should be settled with truth, loving kindness and tolerance, calling for avoiding extremes.

He maintained that the constitution of Myanmar fully guarantees freedom of religion as the fundamental right of citizens, warning not to misuse the noble idea of the freedom of religion as a springboard for any kind of extremism and fueling hatred.

He expressed belief that only the all-inclusive democracy can guarantee long-term progress and peace and stability of a country like Myanmar formed with numerous indigenous people of different races, religions and culture.

"This diversity must be a united force for our own interest," he said, calling for protecting the country's image as a peacefully coexisting society, while preserving the existing age- old fine tradition of social harmony among the fellow citizens.

He advised to make collective efforts to end discrimination and stay away from conflicts.

The Academic Conference on Security, Peace and Coexistence, jointly organized by Institute for Global Engagement and Sitagu World Buddhist Academy, took place in Yangon Tuesday with leaders of five main religions calling for efforts to bring about the situation of better coexistence in wake of recent communal conflicts in several parts of the country including Rakhine, Meikhtila and Lashio.

There are mainly five faiths in Myanmar, namely Buddhism (89.2 percent), Christianity (5.0 percent), Islam (3.8 percent), Hinduism (0.5 percent), Spiritualism (1.2 percent).