UNITED NATIONS, Jul 26 (APP): The United Nations Security Council Friday met behind closed doors amid border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, with all 15 members calling on the parties to deescalate, show restraint and resolve the dispute peacefully.
No statement was issued after the Council meeting, held under Pakistan’s presidency, but diplomats told APP that the combatants were asked to prefer dialogue and diplomacy over confrontation and to settle the issue through bilateral means.
In this regard, the diplomats said that the Pakistan-sponsored resolution on “Peaceful settlement of disputes”,
which was unanimously adopted by the Council on Monday, provided a way forward to bring the dispute to an end.
The Council also urged the regional organization, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to help end the border clashes, the diplomats added.
Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad has been involved in intense diplomacy at the Council, especially with the parties concerned following the outbreak of border hostilities.
While Cambodia has called for an immediate ceasefire, Thailand is urging a resumption of dialogue through bilateral mechanisms.
Friday’s emergency meeting of the Council took place at Cambodia’s request.
Cambodia’s Ambassador to the UN, Chhea Keo, spoke to reporters after the meeting. Cambodia, he said, called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, and for a peaceful solution of the dispute.
Thailand’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Cherdchai Chaivaivid, released the statement he had delivered at the Council meeting.
He urged Cambodia to immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith.
The military clashes erupted on Thursday in the disputed border region between the two countries.
Thai authorities say at least 14 people are dead, and Cambodia’s defense ministry spokesperson says that 13 people, including eight civilians, are dead.
The last major flare-up between the two countries occurred in 2011, when days of border fighting near the historic Preah Vihear temple – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – left multiple casualties on both sides.