Thailand and Cambodia agree to “unconditional” ceasefire after five days of fighting
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an “unconditional” ceasefire starting at midnight, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Monday, in a significant breakthrough to resolve five days of deadly border clashes that have killed dozens and displaced tens of thousands of people.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai hailed the outcome of the meeting and shook hands along with Anwar at the conclusion of the brief press conference in Malaysia.
Hun Manet and Phumtham have agreed to an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” with effect from midnight local time, Anwar said as he read out a joint statement.
Anwar, who hosted the talks as annual chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional bloc, said both sides have reached a common understanding to take steps to return to normalcy following what he called frank discussions.
“This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security,” Anwar said.
As part of the ceasefire deal, military commanders from both sides will begin to hold talks Tuesday to defuse tensions while Cambodia will host a border committee meeting on Aug. 4. he said. The foreign and defense ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand have also been instructed to “develop a detailed mechanism” to implement and monitor the ceasefire to ensure sustained peace, he added.
