Thailand, Cambodia agree to ASEAN observer team as part of de-escalation efforts

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to the deployment of an ASEAN observer team as efforts to de-escalate their conflict continue, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Wednesday.

Malaysia's engagement would continue across multiple channels, including communications between leaders, foreign ministers and the respective chiefs of armed forces, and a meeting between ASEAN foreign ministers scheduled for Dec. 22 in Kuala Lumpur, Anwar said, according to a Bernama report.

He said that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to attend the meeting on Dec. 22, a Malaysia- and ASEAN-initiated effort aimed at easing tensions and preventing further escalation along the Thailand-Cambodia border.

"We are appealing to them to immediately stop these frontline offensives and, if possible, immediate ceasefire," he said.■