BOTH SIDES 'AGREE TO TALKS'

Malaysia agrees to act as mediator

- POST REPORTERS

Cambodia faces its first test as to whether it really wants a ceasefire with reports emerging that it has agreed to meet Thailand in Malaysia for talks.

Acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet have agreed to meet for talks tonight on ending the border conflict, with Malaysia acting as a mediator, Thai government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said.

Earlier, a Reuters report on the talks quoted Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, speaking to state news agency Bernama, as saying: "They have full confidence in Malaysia and asked me to be a mediator." Mr Mohamad said he had spoken to both his Cambodian and Thai counterparts and they agreed no other country should be involved in the issue.

Earlier, Mr Phumtham said Thailand would agree to a ceasefire with Cambodia if the Cambodian government demonstrated sincerity by withdrawing its troops and heavy weaponry from contested border areas.

Mr Phumtham, also a deputy prime minister and Interior Minister, made the remark following a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Saturday.