The United Nations supports Thailand and Cambodia to de-escalating tensions through dialogue, and welcomes the statement issued by the special Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers' meeting convened to address the ongoing conflict between the two countries, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said on Monday.
Thailand and Cambodia are urged to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps towards the cessation of all forms of hostilities, the Foreign Ministry of Malaysia, the rotating ASEAN chair, said Monday in a statement following the special ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting.
The meeting also called on the two countries to restore mutual trust and confidence, and return to dialogue, including through bilateral mechanisms, the statement said.
Dujarric emphasized that it is crucial for both countries to participate in the upcoming talks with a commitment to ending the conflict.
Dozens had been killed in Thailand-Cambodia border clashes, including soldiers and civilians from both countries, official data showed Monday.
Thailand's military said that ongoing border clashes with Cambodia had left 22 Thai soldiers dead.
Separately, data from Thailand's Ministry of Public Health showed 38 Thai civilians had also been killed in the multi-day conflicts.
Meanwhile, the Cambodian interior ministry issued a statement on Monday, confirming that the death toll of Cambodian civilians resulting from the Thai-Cambodian border clashes had risen to 21.
In addition, 83 people were injured, and over 540,000 individuals were displaced, including more than 280,000 women and 170,000 children.
The Thailand-Cambodia border conflict has reignited since Dec. 7, and both sides have accused the other of initiating the attack.
UN backs Thailand, Cambodia to de-escalate tensions through dialogue
