PHOTO: Sovan Philong

 

Cambodian and Thai generals have agreed to a ceasefire following negotiations at the border along Oddar Meanchey province according to a statement released this afternoon by the Cambodian Ministry of Defense.

General Chea Morn, commander of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Region 4, met with General Thawatchai Samutsakorn, commander of the Thai Royal Army Region 2, from 10:30am until 12:15pm and agreed to an immediate ceasefire.

The two sides also committed to halt all troop movements and said they would encourage frontline commanders to communicate with each other in order to avoid further clashes.

The generals said they would facilitate the return of civilians to their homes and reopen the border. They also said the two countries could address disputed areas at Ta Moan and Ta Krabey temples through the Joint Border Committee.

The agreement came just a day after Prime Minister Hun Sen called for a ceasefire in his first public statement on the week-long fighting – which has left at least 14 dead – and said Cambodia was open to resolving border disputes at the two temples bilaterally.

Neither Thai nor Cambodian officials were immediately available for comment.