Cambodia calls for immediate ceasefire with Thailand
"Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire - unconditionally - and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute," Cambodia's ambassador to the UN, Chhea Keo, said following a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.
Keo dismissed Bangkok's accusations that Cambodia had attacked the country, pointing out that Cambodia's army is only a third the size of Thailand's. He also said that Cambodia lacks a fully equipped air force.
At the closed-door meeting, members of the Security Council called on both sides to exercise extreme restraint.
Long-standing tensions between the two South-East Asian neighbours flared on Thursday, when exchanges of fire broke out along the border. In response, the Thai military said it had deployed fighter jets against Cambodian positions.
Cambodia responded with artillery fire, hitting areas including civilian infrastructure. A petrol station and a hospital were struck. Each side has blamed the other for initiating the latest round of fighting.
According to media reports, Thailand carried out further airstrikes on Friday.
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