US Secretary Rubio briefs Cambodian foreign minister on US support for peaceful resolution
State department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that Rubio highlighted US President Donald Trump's strong desire for a peaceful resolution, reiterating the importance of an immediate ceasefire to prevent further escalation.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
20 minutes ago
- The Star
Thailand and Cambodia should reach common ground in peace talks by Aug 7, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Talks to resolve Thailand and Cambodia's border tensions are expected to be concluded by Thursday (Aug 7), says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said army generals of both countries are currently in Kuala Lumpur for a meeting coordinated by Malaysia. 'We extend our appreciation to the Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces for helping to coordinate this meeting. 'We hope that some common ground facilitated by Malaysia can be reached before or on Aug 7, as the Defence Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand will be present to reach an agreement,' he said during Prime Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Aug 5). ALSO READ: Thailand, Cambodia show strong commitment towards peace, Chief of Defence Forces says Rodiyah Sapiee (GPS-Batang Sadong) had asked Anwar to clarify Malaysia's role in facilitating the peace negotiations and ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, which have reached an agreement to end their border conflict. Anwar also thanked Asean member states that provided support and the mandate for Malaysia to lead the ceasefire agreement. 'They all agreed to send their defense attachés to continue monitoring (the situation), and the meeting in Kuala Lumpur (will be conducted by) the Malaysian defence attachés with the presence of Asean (members') defence attachés. 'Both the United States and China will attend as observers only, but this is a Malaysian initiative fully supported by Asean,' he added. ALSO READ: Malaysia proposes Asean monitoring team for Thai-Cambodian border He also extended gratitude to both the Thai and Cambodian governments, which had expressed their positive commitment to finding a resolution. On July 28, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an unconditional and immediate ceasefire following a special meeting in Putrajaya chaired by Anwar. At the meeting, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai also agreed to convene a General Border Committee Meeting as part of the ceasefire agreement.
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Malaysia keen to help set up Asean Monitoring Team
SEREMBAN: Malaysia is keen to assist in establishing an Asean Monitoring Team along the disputed Cambodia-Thailand border to help ensure a permanent ceasefire, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan ( pic ). He said a General Border Committee, comprising officials from both nations, began discussions yesterday in Kuala Lumpur to work towards de-escalating tensions along the border. 'The technical committee will draw up the Terms of Reference (TOR), so that a permanent ceasefire along their border can be realised,' Mohamad said, adding that the TOR would outline the framework for creating a monitoring team to maintain peace and stability in the region. 'The arrival of ministers from both countries in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 7 will mark a significant milestone. We anticipate the TOR's finalisation by then. 'We want to restore normalcy along the border so that the people on both sides can return to peaceful daily lives,' he said, adding that the accord would also pave the way for the reopening of the border. The effort follows a special meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya on July 28, during which Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. At that meeting, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai also agreed to convene a General Border Committee meeting as part of the agreement, following deadly clashes between the two nations. Mohamad expressed optimism that a lasting agreement could be reached, noting that both parties were largely supportive of the draft proposals submitted by Malaysia. 'There haven't been many objections. Both sides have, however, made some additions to better suit their needs,' he said. He also revealed that the Malaysian Armed Forces chief has engaged in discussions with his counterparts from both countries to help move the process forward. 'This will further support the formation of an Asean Monitoring Team,' he added.
The Star
14 hours ago
- The Star
Cambodian and Thai officials meet in Malaysia; both countries are aiming to iron out ceasefire details
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP): Thai and Cambodian officials met in Malaysia on Monday for the first round of cross-border committee talks since a tense ceasefire was brokered last week after five days of deadly armed border clashes that killed dozens and displaced over 260,000 people. The four-day General Border Committee meetings were initially due to be hosted by Cambodia, but both sides later agreed to a neutral venue in Malaysia, the annual chair of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean), which has mediated the halt in hostilities last month. The July 28 ceasefire followed economic pressure from US President Donald Trump, who had warned the two warring nations that the U.S. would not conclude trade deals with them if the fighting persisted. Washington lowered tariffs on goods from the two countries from 36% to 19% on Aug. 1 following the truce. Monday's talks focused on ironing out details to avoid further clashes. Discussions of the decades-long competing territorial claims over the pockets of land near the shared border are not on the agenda. Thailand and Cambodia have been feuding neighbours for centuries, since both were mighty empires. In modern times, a 1962 ruling by the International Court of Justice awarding Cambodia the land on which the ancient Preah Vihear temple stands marked a new low point in relations, and other border territory remained claimed by both countries. Fighting erupted in 2011 at Preah Vihaer, after which the International Court of Justice in 2013 reaffirmed its earlier ruling, rankling Thailand. Relations deteriorated again sharply in May this year, when a Cambodian soldier was shot dead in a brief fracas in one of the disputed border zones, setting off diplomatic and trade sanctions, one against the other. Soon after two incidents last month in which Thai soldiers were wounded by land mines in disputed territory, for which Thailand blamed Cambodia, the two sides downgraded diplomatic relations and fighting broke out, each side blaming the other for starting the armed clashes. The talks this week will include finalizing details and scope of reference for an Asean monitoring team, Malaysian Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Mohamad Nizam Jaffar said Monday. Despite some reports of attacks after the ceasefire came into effect, Nizam said such incidents were typical spillover violence and both sides showed strong commitment during Monday's talks to uphold the ceasefire. The main session of the General Border Committee on Thursday will be led by Thai Deputy Defense Minister Gen. Natthaphon Nakpanit and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister cum Defense Minister Tea Seih and include observers from Malaysia, the United States and China, officials said. Despite the truce, tensions have persisted as both countries organised tours of the former battle areas for foreign diplomats and other observers to highlight damage allegedly caused by the other side. The two countries also continue to accuse each other of having violated international humanitarian laws with attacks on civilians and the use of illegal weapons. - AP
