Thailand and Cambodia on Sunday announced their eagerness to negotiate an end to a deadly border dispute following mediation efforts by US President Donald Trump. The fighting, now in its fourth day, has left at least 33 people dead and displaced more than 168,000 others.

Trump posted on his Truth Social on Saturday, “I just had a very good call with the Prime Minister of Cambodia, and informed him of my discussions with Thailand and its Acting Prime Minister.” He warned trade agreements with either country would not move forward if the hostilities continued. He added both sides “have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a ceasefire.”

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Sunday affirmed that his country agreed to an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire.” He added Trump briefed him that Thailand had also agreed to stop the hostilities following Trump’s talk with Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. “This is positive news for the soldiers and people of both countries,” Hun Manet said in a statement.

He said that he had tasked his deputy, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, to coordinate next steps with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and to engage directly with Thailand’s foreign minister to implement the ceasefire. (Agencies)