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Syria And Israel To Hold More Talks On Reducing Tensions: Ekhbariya TV
Syria and Israel have agreed to continue discussions after U.S.-brokered negotiations in Paris ended without a final agreement on easing the conflict in southern Syria, Syria’s state-run Ekhbariya TV reported on Saturday, quoting a diplomatic source.
The source described the dialogue as “honest and responsible”, in the first confirmation from the Syrian side that talks had taken place.
On Friday, U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said officials from both countries spoke about de-escalating the situation in Syria during the talks on Thursday.
Representatives from the Syrian foreign ministry and intelligence officials were in attendance, Ekhbariya reported.
Syria’s foreign minister held frank and productive talks with the United States and France at which they said on Friday they underlined the importance of ensuring the success of Syria’s political transition, unity and territorial integrity.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani, French Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barrot and U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack met in Paris, days after a ceasefire halted bloodshed in Syria’s southern province of Sweida.
Clashes In Sweida
Hundreds of people have been reported killed in clashes in the southern Syrian province of Sweida between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces. Israel intervened with airstrikes to prevent what it said was mass killings of Druze by government forces.
Last week’s clashes underlined the challenges interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa faces in stabilising Syria and maintaining centralised rule, despite warming ties with the U.S. and his administration’s evolving security contacts with Israel.
The diplomatic source said the meeting involved initial consultations aimed at “reducing tensions and opening channels of communication amid an ongoing escalation since early December”.
The Syrian side held Israel responsible for the latest escalation, saying that the continuation of such “hostile policies” was threatening the region, according to the source. The Syrian delegation also said that Damascus would not accept “imposing new realities on the ground”.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Malaysia: Thousands Protest Demanding PM Anwar’s Resignation
On Saturday, thousands gathered in Kuala Lumpur to call for Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to step down, voicing frustration over soaring living expenses and accusing him of not fulfilling his reform pledges.
Protesters – mostly wearing black t-shirts and bandannas carrying the slogan “Turun Anwar”, or “Step Down Anwar” – marched through the heart of Kuala Lumpur, before converging in the city’s Independence Square to hear speeches by top opposition leaders. Police estimated at least 18,000 were in attendance.
Anwar, who campaigned on a reformist platform before taking office in November 2022, has faced criticism over measures aimed at boosting government revenue, including an expanded sales and services tax and subsidy adjustments that some fear could lead to a spike in consumer prices.
The premier this week announced a cash handout, increased aid for poor households and a pledge to lower fuel prices, in a bid to quell worries over rising costs.
Protester Nur Shahirah Leman, 23, a member of an Islamic students’ group, said she was worried that new taxes as well as higher electricity tariffs imposed on large businesses would eventually be passed down to consumers.
“These taxes are levied on manufacturers, so it would automatically affect the prices of food,” she said.
Allegations Against Anwar
Anwar has also faced claims of judicial interference and doubts over his commitment to anti-corruption efforts, after prosecutors dropped graft charges against several figures allied to the government and following a recent delay in the appointment of the country’s top judges. Anwar has repeatedly denied interfering in the courts.
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who turned 100 this month, joined the rally and accused Anwar of misusing his position to prosecute political rivals, charges the premier has previously rejected.
“Those who are innocent are charged, those who have done wrong are let go,” Mahathir told the crowd.
Mahathir and Anwar, his former protégé-turned-rival, have been locked in an intense feud that has dominated Malaysian politics for nearly three decades.
The pair mended fences to oust the long-ruling Barisan Nasional government in 2018, but their coalition collapsed in less than two years amid infighting.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Macron’s Pledge To Recognise Palestine Sparks Global Diplomatic Ripples
President Emmanuel Macron’s declaration that France will recognise Palestine’s statehood in September—making it the first Western UN Security Council member to do so—has triggered diplomatic ripples from the Middle East to Europe and Washington.
But it did not come out of the blue.
When Macron visited the Egyptian town of Al-Arish on the border with Gaza in April, he was struck by the mounting humanitarian crisis and made clear on his return home that Paris would soon opt for recognition.
Working with Saudi Arabia, Macron came up with a plan to have France, plus G7 allies Britain and Canada, recognise Palestinian statehood, while pushing Arab states to adopt a softer stance towards Israel through a United Nations conference. But despite weeks of talks, he failed to get others on board.
Three diplomats said London did not want to face the wrath of the United States, and Ottawa took a similar stance, leaving Macron to go it alone.
“It became increasingly apparent that we could not wait to get partners on board,” said a French diplomat, adding France will work to get more states on board ahead of the conference on a two-state solution in September.
Domestically, Macron was under rising pressure to do something amid widespread anger at the harrowing images coming out of Gaza.
Although with both Europe’s biggest Muslim and Jewish communities and a polarised political landscape, there was no obvious course of action that would satisfy all sides.
Israel and its staunch supporter, the United States, have blasted France’s move, branding it a reward for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which ran Gaza and whose attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, triggered the current war.
Macron had discussed the matter extensively with both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in advance.
Trump said on Friday that France’s decision didn’t “carry any weight” but added Macron was “a good guy”.
Conference Plan
French officials previously considered an announcement at a conference scheduled for June at the United Nations, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, to sketch out a roadmap to a viable Palestinian state while also ensuring Israel’s security.
But the conference was postponed amid intense U.S. diplomatic pressure and after Israeli air strikes on Iran.
Macron’s announcement on Thursday is linked to a rescheduled and rejigged version of the U.N. conference, now planned to take place Monday and Tuesday.
That meeting will be at the ministerial level, but Paris decided it would hold a second event with heads of state and government on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September, where Macron will announce formal recognition.
Some analysts say Macron has used the carrot of recognition to extract concessions from Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, which is a moderate rival to Hamas, and other regional players.
“Macron here is acting as a catalyst to get the Palestinians to deliver on the needed reforms, to get the Arabs to deliver on a stabilisation force and the disarming of Hamas,” said Rym Momtaz, editor-in-chief of the Strategic Europe blog run by the Carnegie Europe think tank.
Others say while recognition has symbolic value, there will still be no functioning Palestinian state whenever the war in Gaza comes to an end.
“Recognition by a European heavyweight like France is indicative of the rising frustration with Israel’s intransigent policies,” said Amjad Iraqi, senior analyst at International Crisis Group.
“What’s the point of recognising a state if they’re doing little to stop it from turning into ruins?”
French officials point to months of intense Israeli lobbying to try to prevent Macron’s move – and Netanyahu’s fierce criticism of it – as evidence that it matters a lot to Israeli leaders.
Sources familiar with the matter say Israel’s warnings to France had ranged from scaling back intelligence-sharing to complicating Paris’ regional initiatives – even hinting at possible annexation of parts of the West Bank.
But French officials concluded that Netanyahu would do whatever he thought was in his interests in the West Bank anyway, regardless of what France did on recognition.
Israel’s parliament voted on Wednesday in favour of a non-binding declaration urging the government to apply Israeli law to the West Bank, widely seen as a de facto annexation of the territory. That added to the urgency in Paris.
“If there is a moment in history to recognise a Palestinian state, even if it’s just symbolic, then I would say that moment has probably come,” said a senior French official.
(With inputs from Reuters)
China Proposes Global AI Group, Challenges US Tech Leadership
China announced on Saturday its intention to establish an organisation promoting global cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), positioning itself as a counterweight to U.S. influence over the emerging technology.
China wants to help coordinate global efforts to regulate fast-evolving AI technology and share the country’s advances, Premier Li Qiang told the annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai.
President Donald Trump’s administration on Wednesday released an AI blueprint aiming to vastly expand U.S. AI exports to allies in a bid to maintain the American edge over China in the critical technology.
Li did not name the United States but appeared to refer to Washington’s efforts to stymie China’s advances in AI, warning that the technology risked becoming the “exclusive game” of a few countries and companies.
China wants AI to be openly shared and for all countries and companies to have equal rights to use it, Li said, adding that Beijing was willing to share its development experience and products with other countries, particularly the “Global South”. The Global South refers to developing, emerging or lower-income countries, mostly in the southern hemisphere.
How to regulate AI’s growing risks was another concern, Li said, adding that bottlenecks included an insufficient supply of AI chips and restrictions on talent exchange.
“Overall global AI governance is still fragmented. Countries have great differences particularly in terms of areas such as regulatory concepts, institutional rules,” he said. “We should strengthen coordination to form a global AI governance framework that has broad consensus as soon as possible.”
Shanghai Headquarters
The three-day Shanghai conference brings together industry leaders and policymakers at a time of escalating technological competition between China and the United States – the world’s two largest economies – with AI emerging as a key battleground.
Washington has imposed export restrictions on advanced technology to China, including the most high-end AI chips made by companies such as Nvidia and chipmaking equipment, citing concerns that the technology could enhance China’s military capabilities.
Despite these restrictions, China has continued making AI breakthroughs that have drawn close scrutiny from U.S. officials.
China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu told a roundtable of representatives from over 30 countries, including Russia, South Africa, Qatar, South Korea and Germany, that China wanted the organisation to promote pragmatic cooperation in AI and was considering putting its headquarters in Shanghai.
The foreign ministry released online an action plan for global AI governance, inviting governments, international organisations, enterprises and research institutions to work together and promote international exchanges, including through a cross-border open source community.
The government-sponsored AI conference typically attracts major industry players, government officials, researchers and investors.
Saturday’s speakers included Anne Bouverot, the French president’s special envoy for AI, computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton, known as “the Godfather of AI”, and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has in past years regularly appeared at the opening ceremony in person or by video, did not speak this year.
Besides forums, the conference features exhibitions where companies demonstrate their latest innovations.
This year, more than 800 companies are participating, showcasing more than 3,000 high-tech products, 40 large language models, 50 AI-powered devices and 60 intelligent robots, according to organisers.
The exhibition features predominantly Chinese companies, including tech giants Huawei and Alibaba and startups such as humanoid robot maker Unitree. Western participants include Tesla, Alphabet and Amazon.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Australia, Britain Ink 50-Year AUKUS Nuclear Submarine Pact
Australia announced on Saturday that it had signed a treaty with Britain to strengthen cooperation on the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership over the next 50 years.
The AUKUS pact, agreed upon by Australia, Britain and the U.S. in 2021, aims to provide Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines from the next decade to counter China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration announced a formal review of the pact this year.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said in a statement that the bilateral treaty was signed with Britain’s Defence Secretary John Healey on Saturday after a meeting in the city of Geelong, in Victoria state.
“The Geelong Treaty will enable comprehensive cooperation on the design, build, operation, sustainment, and disposal of our SSN-AUKUS submarines,” the statement said.
50 Years’ Commitment
The treaty was a “commitment for the next 50 years of UK-Australian bilateral defence cooperation under AUKUS Pillar I”, it said, adding that it built on the “strong foundation” of trilateral AUKUS cooperation.
Britain’s Ministry of Defence said this week that the bilateral treaty would underpin the two allies’ submarine programmes and was expected to be worth up to 20 billion pounds ($27.1 billion) for Britain in exports over the next 25 years.
AUKUS is Australia’s biggest-ever defence project, with Canberra committing to spend A$368 billion over three decades on the programme, which includes billions of dollars of investment in the U.S. production base.
Australia, which this month paid A$800 million to the U.S. in the second instalment under AUKUS, has maintained it is confident the pact will proceed.
The defence and foreign ministers of Australia and Britain held talks on Friday in Sydney on boosting cooperation, coinciding with Australia’s largest war games.
As many as 40,000 troops from 19 countries are taking part in the Talisman Sabre exercises held from July 13 to August 4, which Australia’s military has said are a rehearsal for joint warfare to maintain Indo-Pacific stability.
Britain has significantly increased its participation in the exercise co-hosted by Australia and the United States, with aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales taking part this year.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Rubio Hails Pakistan’s Role In ‘Countering Terrorism’ After Meeting Ishaq Dar In Washington
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Washington on Friday, praising its counterterrorism cooperation and discussing trade and regional security, just days after sanctioning Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) offshoot terror outfit The Resistance Front (TRF).
Following the meeting, Rubio shared a statement on X, expressing gratitude to Dar for “Pakistan’s partnership in countering terrorism and preserving regional stability.”
“Met with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister @MIshaqDar50 today to discuss expanding bilateral trade and enhancing collaboration in the critical minerals sector. I also thanked him for Pakistan’s partnership in countering terrorism and preserving regional stability,” Rubio posted on X.
Bilateral Trade
Both sides also explored avenues to boost bilateral trade and intensify cooperation in the critical minerals and mining sectors, which have emerged as vital components in global strategic supply chains.
According to U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Secretary Rubio conveyed appreciation for “Pakistan’s continued readiness to contribute constructively in dialogues with Iran and its dedication to maintaining regional stability.”
Among the key items on the agenda was the upcoming U.S.-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue, scheduled to take place in Islamabad this August.
Discussions centred on enhancing joint efforts to combat terror groups such as ISIS-K, as Washington and Islamabad seek to scale up coordinated counterterrorism initiatives across the region.
Rubio underlined the importance of “expanding mutually beneficial bilateral trade” and emphasised the growing potential for joint ventures in the minerals sector, particularly in light of increasing global demand for rare and strategic resources.
Ishaq Dar’s US Tour
As reported by Arab News, Ishaq Dar is currently on an eight-day official visit to the United States, during which he has presided over multiple United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sessions as part of Pakistan’s rotating presidency for the month.
The high-level meeting took place shortly after Rubio’s announcement that the U.S. government would designate The Resistance Front (TRF)—a proxy for the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—as both a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
TRF had claimed responsibility for the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, in which 26 civilians—mostly tourists—were killed.
(With inputs from IBNS)
Tunisians Rally Against President Saied, Accuse Him Of Turning Country Into ‘Open-Air Prison’
Hundreds of activists gathered in Tunis on Friday to protest against President Kais Saied, condemning his leadership as authoritarian and claiming he has transformed Tunisia into an “open-air prison.”
Under the slogan “The Republic is a large prison,” protesters marched along Habib Bourguiba Avenue. They demanded the release of jailed opposition leaders, journalists, and activists.
The protest marked the fourth anniversary of Saied’s power grab. In 2021, he dissolved the elected parliament and started ruling by decree, a move the opposition called a coup.
They chanted slogans such as “no fear, no terror … streets belong to the people” and “The people want the fall of the regime”.
The protesters said Tunisia under Saied has descended into authoritarianism, with mass arrests and politically motivated trials silencing dissent.
“Our first aim is to battle against tyranny to restore the democracy and to demand the release of the political detainees,” Monia Ibrahim, wife of imprisoned politician Abdelhamid Jelassi, said.
One-Man Rule
In 2022, President Saied dissolved the independent Supreme Judicial Council and sacked dozens of judges, a move the opposition said was aimed to cement one-man rule.
Saied said he does not interfere in the judiciary, but no one is above accountability, regardless of their name or position.
Most prominent opposition leaders are in prison, including Rached Ghannouchi, head of the Islamist Ennahda party, and Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Constitutional Party.
They are among dozens of politicians, lawyers, and journalists facing lengthy prison sentences under anti-terrorism and conspiracy laws.
Others have fled the country, seeking asylum in Western countries.
In 2023, Saied said the politicians were “traitors and terrorists” and that judges who would acquit them were their accomplices.
“Prisons are crowded with Saied’s opponents, activists, journalists,” said Saib Souab, son of Ahmed Souab, the imprisoned lawyer Ahmed Souab who is a critical voice of Saied.
“Tunisia has turned into an open-air prison. … Even those not behind bars live in a state of temporary freedom, constantly at risk of arrest for any reason.”, he added.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Pakistan Says Trade Deal With US ‘Very Close’, But Washington Stays Silent On Timeline
Foreign Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar stated on Friday that Islamabad and Washington were “very close” to finalizing a trade agreement, possibly within days. However, after Dar’s meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the American side gave no indication of a timeline.
“I think we are very close to finalizing a deal with U.S. Our teams have been here in Washington, discussing, having virtual meetings and a committee has been tasked by the prime minister to fine-tune now,” Dar said in a discussion at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington.
“It’s not going to be months, not even weeks, I would say (just) days,” he said.
Under U.S. President Donald Trump, Washington has attempted to renegotiate trade agreements with many countries that he threatened with tariffs over what he calls unfair trade relations. Many economists dispute Trump’s characterization.
The U.S. State Department and Pakistan’s foreign ministry, in separate statements after Rubio’s meeting with Dar, said the two stressed in their discussion the importance of expanding trade and ties in critical minerals and mining. A post by Rubio on X after the meeting and the State Department’s statement mentioned no timeline for finalizing a trade deal.
Trump’s ‘Pivotal Role’
The Pakistan foreign ministry also said Dar “appreciated the pivotal role” by Trump and Rubio “in de-escalating tensions between Pakistan and India by facilitating a ceasefire.” The State Department statement did not mention India.
Trump has repeatedly taken credit for the India-Pakistan ceasefire he announced on social media on May 10 after Washington held talks with both sides. India disputes Trump’s claims that the ceasefire resulted from his intervention and trade threats.
India’s position is that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve problems directly with no outside involvement.
An April 22 terrorist attack in India-administered Kashmir killed 26 men and sparked heavy fighting between the nuclear-armed Asian neighbours in the latest escalation of a decades-old rivalry. India struck Pakistan on May 7 and the two nations exchanged hostilities, killing dozens across three days. The ceasefire was declared on May 10.
New Delhi blamed the April attack on Pakistan, which denied responsibility and called for a neutral investigation. Washington condemned the attack but did not blame Islamabad.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Trump Visits Scotland For Golf And Talks On Potential EU Trade Agreement
U.S. President Donald Trump, facing scrutiny over his connections to convicted financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, arrived in Scotland on Friday for a round of golf and meetings that may pave the way for a trade agreement with the European Union.
Trump told reporters upon his arrival that he will visit his two golf properties in Scotland and meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, whom he called a “highly respected woman.”
’50-50 Chance’
As hundreds of onlookers cheered his arrival, Trump repeated his earlier comment about a 50-50 chance of securing a deal with the EU, adding it would be his administration’s biggest trade agreement thus far, if it came together.
However, he said there were still “sticking points” with Brussels on “maybe 20 different things.”
Trump said his meeting with Starmer would be more of a celebration of the trade deal already reached than continued work on it, adding, “It’s a great deal for both.”
Before he left Washington, Trump said his administration was working hard on a possible trade deal with the EU, and Brussels was keen to make a deal. Von der Leyen said later she would meet Trump in Scotland on Sunday.
EU diplomats say a deal could result in a 15% tariff on EU goods, mirroring a framework accord with Japan reached this week and half of the 30% Trump is threatening to impose by August 1.
Trump has sought to reorder the global economy after imposing a 10% tariff on nearly all trading partners in April and threatening sharply higher rates for many countries to kick in a week from now. Trump says the moves will reduce the U.S. trade deficit and bring in extra revenue, but economists warn the new trade policies could drive up inflation.
‘Don’t Talk About Trump’
Trump, facing the biggest domestic political crisis of his second term, expressed frustration about ongoing questions about his administration’s handling of investigative files related to Epstein’s criminal charges and his 2019 death in prison.
“You make it a very big thing over something that’s not a big thing,” Trump told reporters in Scotland, urging them to focus on other prominent Americans with ties to Epstein, including former President Bill Clinton.
“Talk about Clinton. Talk about the former president of Harvard. Talk about all of his friends. Talk about the hedge fund guys that were with him all the time. Don’t talk about Trump,” he said. “What you should be talking about is the fact that we have the greatest six months in the history of a presidency.”
The Epstein issue has caused a rare breach with some of Trump’s most loyal Make America Great Again supporters, and majorities of Americans and Trump’s Republicans say they believe the government is hiding details on the case, according to reports.
White House officials are hoping the controversy dies down while Trump is abroad, two people familiar with the matter said.
Deepen Ties
Trump will stay at his Turnberry property on Scotland’s west coast this weekend, before traveling on Monday to a golf property in Aberdeen, where he will open a second 18-hole course named in honor of his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod. MacLeod was born and raised on a Scottish island before emigrating to the U.S.
As he left the White House, Trump said he looked forward to meeting both Starmer and Scottish leader John Swinney, who had publicly backed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
The trip gives Trump and Starmer a chance to deepen their already warm ties, with key issues on the agenda to include ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, British and U.S. sources said.
The deteriorating situation in Gaza is also likely to come up. Starmer on Thursday said he would hold an emergency call with France and Germany over what he called the “unspeakable and indefensible” suffering and starvation being reported there, and called on Israel to allow aid to enter the Palestinian enclave.
Gaza health authorities say more than 100 people have died from starvation, most in recent weeks. Human rights groups have said mass starvation is spreading even as tons of food and other supplies sit untouched just outside the territory.
Good Relations
Since being elected last year, Starmer has prioritized good relations with Trump, stressing the importance of Britain’s defence and security alliance with the U.S., while working to clinch the first tariff-reduction deal with the U.S. in May.
The framework agreement reaffirmed quotas and tariff rates on British automobiles and eliminated tariffs on the UK’s aerospace sector, but left steel tariffs in place.
Starmer is expected to press for lower steel tariffs, but sources close to the matter said it was unclear if any breakthrough was possible during Trump’s visit.
Trump has described Scotland as a “very special place” and made a similar trip there in 2016 during his earlier run for the presidency, but he will not necessarily get a warm welcome.
About 70% of Scots have an unfavorable opinion of Trump, while 18% have a favorable opinion, an Ipsos poll in March found.
Scottish police are girding for protests on Saturday in both Aberdeen and in Edinburgh, the country’s capital.
Trump will return to Britain from September 17-19 for a state visit hosted by King Charles. It will make Trump the first world leader in modern times to undertake two state visits to Britain. The late Queen Elizabeth hosted him at Buckingham Palace for a three-day state visit in June 2019.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Fresh Flashpoints Emerge As Thai-Cambodian Border Clashes Enter Third Day
Clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border entered a third consecutive day on Saturday, with fresh flashpoints emerging as both nations sought diplomatic backing, each claiming self-defence and urging the other to halt hostilities and begin negotiations.
At least 30 people have been killed and more than 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in 13 years.
New Areas Targeted
The Thai navy said there were clashes in the coastal province of Trat early on Saturday, a new front more than 100 km (60 miles) from other conflict points along the long-contested border.
The two countries have faced off since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish. Troops on both sides of the border were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand’s fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse.
‘Almost A Deserted City’
Thailand’s death toll remained at 19 on Saturday, while Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said five soldiers and eight civilians had been killed in the fighting. In the Kanthralak district of Thailand’s Sisaket province, on the border near some of the clashes, hotel worker Chianuwat Thalalai said the town had emptied out.
“Nearly everybody’s gone, it’s almost a deserted city,” the 31-year-old told Reuters. “My hotel is still open for some of those nearer to the border area that needs a place to stay.”
Thailand’s ambassador to the United Nations told a Security Council meeting on Friday that soldiers had been injured by newly planted land mines in Thai territory on two occasions since mid-July – claims Cambodia has strongly denied – and said Cambodia had then launched attacks on Thursday morning.
“Thailand urges Cambodia to immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith,” Cherdchai Chaivaivid told the council in remarks released to media.
Decades Of Disputes
Cambodia’s defence ministry said Thailand had launched “a deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful military attack” on Thursday, and was now mobilising troops and military equipment on the border.
“These deliberate military preparations reveal Thailand’s intent to expand its aggression and further violate Cambodia’s sovereignty,” the ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
Cambodia called for the international community to “condemn Thailand’s aggression in the strongest terms” and to prevent an expansion of Thailand’s military activities.
Bangkok Urges Dialogue
Bangkok reiterated it wanted to resolve the dispute bilaterally, telling the Security Council it was “deeply regrettable that Cambodia has deliberately avoided meaningful dialogue and instead sought to internationalise the issue to serve its own political objectives”.
Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various undemarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes.
Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
That led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths.
Cambodia in June said it had asked the court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognised the court’s jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach.
(With inputs from Reuters)