PUTRAJAYA: Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire beginning at midnight, following a successful special meeting hosted and chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In a joint statement read by Anwar following the meeting on Monday (July 28), both Cambodia and Thailand confirmed their willingness to de-escalate tensions and return to normalcy through peaceful means.

Anwar said the ceasefire, which takes effect at midnight, marks the first formal agreement between the two nations since the outbreak of violence along their shared border.

"This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security," said Anwar.

Key agreements from the trilateral meeting include:

– An immediate and unconditional ceasefire effective midnight (July 29).

– An informal meeting of regional military commanders from both sides on the morning of July 29, followed by a possible session with Asean defence attaches, pending agreement by both parties.

– A General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on Aug 4 to be hosted by Cambodia.

Anwar noted that Malaysia would coordinate an Asean observer team to monitor and verify the implementation of the ceasefire. Consultations with fellow Asean member states are also planned to broaden regional support, he said.

"Direct communication channels between the Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers and Defence Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand will be re-established immediately.

"In addition, the Foreign and Defence Ministers of all three countries have been instructed to jointly develop a detailed implementation, verification, and reporting mechanism.

"This mechanism will serve as a foundation for sustained peace and accountability," said Anwar.

The joint statement also acknowledged the role of international stakeholders.

"US President Donald J. Trump had been in contact with both Cambodian and Thai leaders to urge a peaceful resolution, while China maintained active diplomatic engagement with all sides to promote dialogue and a ceasefire," said Anwar.