Hun Manet Welcomes Border Talks In Malaysia, Urges Swift Release Of Soldiers

PHNOM PENH, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has welcomed the outcome of the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting with Thailand in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, while urging the immediate return of Cambodian soldiers currently in Thai military custody.

According to Manet, both sides have agreed to push for the preparation of the ASEAN Observer Team’s Ceasefire Monitoring System and to deploy an Interim Observer Team led by the Malaysian Military Division for immediate observation and to support further preparations of the ASEAN Observer Team.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and National Defence Minister General Tea Seiha and Thailand’s Acting Minister of Defence General Natthaphon Narkphanit attended the high-profile GBC meeting that was hosted and observed by Malaysia.

"I would like to congratulate all parties on the successful completion of the Extraordinary GBC Meeting of the Cambodia-Thai General Border Committee, with observers from Malaysia, the United States and the People's Republic of China,” he said on his official Facebook page.

The GBC meeting followed a ceasefire between both countries on July 28, after a five-day armed conflict along the Cambodia-Thai border. The hostilities began on July 24 with a shootout between soldiers near disputed areas that include ancient temples.

Both neighbours have long been entangled in a dispute over the 817-kilometre non-demarcated border.
The recent ceasefire was achieved through the efforts of Malaysia, as ASEAN’s current Chair, with support from the international community.

Manet in the Facebook posting reiterated Cambodia’s call for the immediate release of all 18 Cambodian soldiers detained during the five-day border conflict.
--BERNAMA