Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will host high-stakes peace talks Monday between the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia, even as deadly border clashes continued into Sunday, with both nations trading blame for renewed hostilities.
The talks, scheduled in Kuala Lumpur, will bring together acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. Anwar Ibrahim will serve as mediator in his capacity as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“They have asked me to negotiate a peace settlement,” Anwar said Sunday. “I’m discussing the parameters and conditions, but the priority is an immediate ceasefire,” He said.
Hun Manet stated earlier that Cambodia is prepared for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire.” However, artillery exchanges continued throughout Sunday, marking the fourth consecutive day of deadly conflict centered around disputed border temples.
The fighting has already claimed at least 34 lives and displaced approximately 200,000 people.
A Thai government spokesman confirmed Phumtham’s attendance at the talks “to discuss peace efforts in the region,” though tensions on the ground remain high.
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed partial credit for the peace initiative, revealing he had spoken with both prime ministers. “By the time I got off the call, I think they want to settle now,” Trump said Sunday during a visit to Turnberry, Scotland.
Trump earlier had threatened to impose trade tariffs on both nations unless fighting stopped.
“Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural outcome,” he wrote on social media Saturday. “We won’t make any deal with either country if they are fighting.”
