Thailand and Cambodia agree to mutual ceasefire

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Vechayachai have expressed their readiness for an immediate ceasefire, said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who acted as a mediator in the talks. The agreement will come into force from midnight local time (19:00 Moscow time on July 28), the BBC reports.

"This is an important first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security," Anwar said. According to the Malaysian prime minister, military representatives from the two countries will hold an "informal meeting" on July 29, the day after the ceasefire comes into force.

Hun Manet called the talks "a very good meeting" and said he hoped to "immediately" end the fighting. He thanked the Malaysian leader, US President Donald Trump and the Chinese government for their mediation in resolving the conflict. He addressed his Thai counterpart separately, noting Vechayachai's "constructive" participation in the talks.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said Phnom Penh and Bangkok had expressed readiness for dialogue following his telephone consultations with both sides.