Cambodia PM Agrees To Ceasefire Proposed By Anwar

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, July 25 (Bernama) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has agreed to the ceasefire proposal with Thailand suggested by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In a Facebook post today, Manet said he agreed to the ceasefire because Cambodia did not initiate the fighting. 

“The key to resolving the current armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia is the genuine willingness of the Thai side to accept a ceasefire, which is the first step towards finding further solutions between the two countries,” Manet said in his posting.

Manet clarified that there was unclear reporting by various international media regarding the proposed ceasefire talks initiated by Anwar, the current ASEAN chair.

Manet said he only agreed to the ceasefire after hearing from Anwar that Thailand’s acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, agreed to peace talks. 

But regrettably, the Thai side changed their position on the issue, he said in his posting. 

“However, it is regrettable that just over an hour later, the Thai side informed that they had reversed their position from agreeing to the ceasefire,” said Manet.

Anwar said he spoke to both prime ministers on resolving the ongoing conflict on Thursday.

The border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand escalated after soldiers from both sides engaged in a clash on Thursday morning along the Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear areas.

The two neighbours have been quarrelling over an 817-km undemarcated border for decades, which has harmed diplomatic ties. 

--  BERNAMA