



A ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia has brought an end to border hostilities that claimed a at least 35 lives and forced over 270,000 people from their homes.
The Malaysian prime minister revealed that both nations have committed to an "immediate and unconditional" cessation of hostilities following diplomatic discussions.
The agreement halts what has been described as the most severe conflict between the two Southeast Asian neighbours in more than ten years, with fighting having persisted for five days before the breakthrough in negotiations.
Anwar Ibrahim, who facilitated the diplomatic negotiations, confirmed that the truce would commence at midnight local time on Monday.
Reuters
|A ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia has brought an end to border hostilities that claimed a at least 35 lives and forced over 270,000 people from their homes
"Both Cambodia and Thailand reached a common understanding," Ibrahim stated following the mediation discussions in Malaysia.
The talks took place at the Malaysian prime minister's residence in Putrajaya, the nation's administrative capital.
Ibrahim currently serves as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
Fighting had persisted until Monday morning, mere hours before the scheduled start of negotiations.
Representatives from major global powers attended the Malaysian-hosted negotiations, with the American and Chinese ambassadors to Malaysia participating in the diplomatic proceedings.
The border clashes represented the most intense military confrontation between Thailand and Cambodia in over a decade.
The clashes began early on Thursday near a disputed temple along the two countries' eastern border around 360 km from the Thai capital Bangkok.
Both Cambodia and Thailand have accused each other of starting the conflict.
Reuters
|Malaysia's Prime Minister Ibrahim, Cambodia's Prime Minister Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Wechayachai take part in mediation talks, in Putrajaya
For more than a century, the two neighbouring nations have contested sovereignty at various points along their border, which has led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a weeklong exchange of artillery in 2011.
Tensions were reignited in May following the killing of a Cambodian soldier during a brief exchange of gunfire, which escalated into a full-blown diplomatic crisis and now has triggered armed clashes.