Thailand & Cambodia to hold ceasefire talks in Malaysia, US officials to ‘assist’

Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, said talks were co-organised by US with participation of China. Thailand says the talks are hosted by Malaysia, which is chairing ASEAN bloc.

Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, walks after a press conference at a Royal Thai Air Force base ahead of his departure to Malaysia | Reuters

Bangkok: The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia were set to hold talks in Malaysia on Monday to reach a ceasefire in their deadly border dispute, with the United States saying its officials would be assisting in the peace process.

Thailand’s government said it was attending talks arranged by Malaysia in its role as chair of the regional ASEAN bloc, while Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the talks were co-organised by the United States with the participation of China.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said State Department officials were in Malaysia to assist peace efforts, after President Donald Trump had earlier said that he thought both leaders wanted to settle the conflict.

“We want this conflict to end as soon as possible,” Rubio said in statement released late on Sunday in the U.S. and early Monday in Asia.

This report is auto-generated from Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.