Cambodia calls for UN help

CAMBODIA has called for UN peacekeepers to help end the fighting along its border with Thailand, where both sides exchanged artillery fire again yesterday near an 11th century World Heritage Site temple.

The crumbling stone temple, several hundred feet from Thailand’s eastern border with Cambodia, has fuelled nationalism on both sides of the disputed frontier for decades and conflict over it has sparked sporadic, brief battles in recent years. However, sustained fighting has been rare.

A one-hour clash yesterday stopped after both sides agreed to an unofficial ceasefire.

Fighting has erupted daily since Friday, leaving at least five dead and two dozen wounded.

Both sides blame the other for instigating each day’s clashes.