Thailand and Cambodia Reach Unconditional Ceasefire to End Deadly Border Dispute, Says Malaysian PM

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an “unconditional” ceasefire starting at midnight, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Monday, 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.

The fighting began Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Both sides blamed each other for starting the clashes, that have killed at least 35 people and displaced more than 260,000 people on both sides.

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.

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.