ASEAN members urge restraint, de-escalation following special meeting on Thai-Cambodia clash

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Thailand and Cambodia are urged to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps towards the cessation of all forms of hostilities, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said on Monday following the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting convened to address the ongoing conflict.

The meeting called on both countries to restore mutual trust and confidence, and to return to dialogue, including through bilateral mechanisms, according to a statement issued by the ministry after the meeting.

"The ASEAN Foreign Ministers welcomed the discussions on resumption of the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities," it said, noting that the General Border Committee will convene on Dec. 24 to discuss the implementation and verification of the ceasefire.

The Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting to address the Thai-Cambodia conflict was held on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, as the regional grouping seeks to promote de-escalation. ■