Prime Minister Hun Sen made a surprise appearance on television last night, issuing an urgent appeal for all Cambodians to remain calm when the International Court of Justice hands down a verdict on Monday.

In a 10-minute speech, the premier stressed that Cambodia’s 2011 request to the ICJ to reinterpret a verdict on the sovereignty of the Preah Vihear temple was not meant to provoke Thailand.

“I would like to reaffirm to all venerables and all compatriots that the reason that the [government] asked the [ICJ] to interpret the 1962 verdict is not to stoke the fires of the dispute or out of any ambition to grab land,” he said.

“On the contrary, the Royal Government believes this action is a means to end this issue peacefully and respect the spirit of international law, national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the maintenance of good relationships with our neighbour.”