Cambodia, Laos withdraw troops near border
Credit to Author: KHMER TIMES| Date: Sun, 01 Sep 2019 16:15:56 +0000
Cambodia and Laos have begun to withdraw their troops from disputed territory near the border in Preah Vihear province after senior military officials from both nations have recently conducted bilateral negotiation.
Lt. Gen. Srey Doek, commander of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces’ Division 3 and Maj. Gen. Duang Chan, commander of Battalion 9 of the Cambodian Army had recently discussed with their Lao counterpart Maj. Gen. Soukai Phommasone, the provincial military commander of Champassak province of the Lao People’s Army.
Sou Serey, Preah Vihear provincial deputy gov. told Khmer Times that the situation along Cambodia and Lao border in the Mom Bei area has become stable after both countries withdrawn troops from the disputed area.
“We have successfully withdrawn the troops. Previously, we have misunderstood each other… There is no confrontation,” Serey said.
Last week, Prime Minister Hun Sen and Lao’s Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith spoke on phone to ease the border tension. After the conversation, both nations agreed to withdraw soldiers from the disputed Mom Bei area, which has not yet been demarcated.
The tension between both army happened after Cambodian authorities accused Lao army of encroaching on Cambodian territory in Preah Vihear province’s Chhep district since the August 14.
Khmer Times