KUALA LUMPUR: United States President Donald Trump has thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his role in what Trump calls the "historic" agreement between the "courageous" leaders of Thailand and Cambodia.
Trump praised Anwar's efforts that led to a ceasefire that prevented the escalation of the border conflict between both countries and ensured the safety of thousands of civilians living on both sides of the border.
"I would also like to thank Anwar. I called him right at the beginning and said, ‘You have two countries fighting right next to you. We need a third place, a neutral place,' and he was there.
"The prime minister (Anwar) played a very important role in helping to convene the two sides for discussions here in Kuala Lumpur.
"He (Anwar) was there, and I told him that if we got this solved, I would come to your country. I told you the truth, didn't I?," said Trump while looking at Anwar.
He said Anwar's ability to bring together the two parties, which were engaged in an armed conflict in July, and to resolve the dispute between them prevented the violence from spreading and soothed concerns among other Asean member countries.
The peace deal, known as the “KL Peace Accord”, was signed here by Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, while Trump and Anwar signed as witnesses.
"The two leaders (Thailand and Cambodia) have great respect for each other, but Prime Minister Anwar played a very important role in helping convene the two sides for discussions here in Kuala Lumpur," said Trump.
Both the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia showed great courage in coming together, said Trump before witnessing the signing of the KL Peace Accord, which was documented as "Delivering Peace - Cambodia-Thailand Peace Deal".
The peace deal was signed on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and related summits.
Also present at the signing ceremony were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan, as well as Thai and Cambodian officials, also attended the ceremony.
