ASEAN to seek resolution to Thailand-Cambodia confrontation

Southeast Asian foreign ministers meet in Malaysia today, seeking to end border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia that have killed at least 40 people and displaced more than ⁠half a million this month.



The ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will seek to revive a short-lived ceasefire brokered by Malaysia, this year's ASEAN chair,

and U.S. President Donald Trump.



ASEAN members Thailand and Cambodia are scheduled to attend the gathering in Kuala Lumpur, the first face-to-face meeting between the governments since the fighting resumed on December 8.



Bangkok and Phnom Penh each accuse the other of moves that led to the breakdown of the July ceasefire and a wider October peace deal.



Heavy exchanges ⁠of fire have occurred in many of the long-disputed areas along their 817-km land border, from forested inland areas near Laos to coastal provinces.



In addition to the regional push for peace, the U.S. and China have pursued separate diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, with no signs of success so far.

The ASEAN meeting, chaired by Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, will consider steps ASEAN could take to help de-escalate the situation and end the fighting.



Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed hope that the meeting would enable Thailand and Cambodia to negotiate openly, resolve differences and achieve a fair and lasting solution.