By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – According to news reports on Thursday Thailand and Cambodia exchanged fire and killed at least 11 civilians and a soldier in long standing border dispute.
Both states are claimed the other side fired first, UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq stated in New York.
UN noted that the dispute dates to 1953 when France first mapped the border, but tensions resurfaced in May after the death of a Cambodian soldier in a border skirmish.
Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters in New York that UN Secretary-General António Guterres is “following with concern” reports of the clashes.
“The Secretary-General urges both sides to exercise maximum restraint and address any issues through dialogue and in a spirit of good neighbourliness, with a view to finding a lasting solution to the dispute,” he said.
