In brief
South East Asian diplomats are convening in Malaysia to address the ongoing border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, which have resulted in at least 41 deaths and the displacement of nearly one million people. This meeting, the first since fighting resumed earlier this month, aims to revive a ceasefire brokered in July and foster peaceful negotiations to resolve the longstanding territorial disputes.
South East Asia's top diplomats are set to meet Monday in Malaysia to end deadly border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia that have killed at least 41 people and displaced close to one million others.
They will seek to revive a ceasefire that was brokered in July by Malaysia as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and US President Donald Trump.
This will be the first meeting between Thailand and Cambodia since fighting resumed on December 8. Both countries have blamed each other for the fresh hostilities.
The conflict dates back more than a century, when the borders of the two nations were drawn after the French occupation of Cambodia.
The most recent fighting has seen the exchange of artillery fire along the 800km (500-mile) border. Thailand has also launched air strikes targeting Cambodian positions.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who presided over the ceasefire signing, expressed cautious optimism about the upcoming talks.
Our duty is to present the facts, but more importantly, to press upon them that it is imperative for them to secure peace, he stated last week.
Cambodia aims to restore peace, stability and good neighbourly relations through these talks, emphasizing the need for peaceful resolutions.
Thailand has acknowledged the importance of the meeting but reiterated conditions for negotiations, including a ceasefire declaration from Cambodia.
The US and China have also been attempting to mediate a new ceasefire, with hopes for a resolution by the beginning of next week.
