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Agence France-Presse

The leaders of Cambodia and Laos vowed on Saturday to recall troops from a disputed border area where tensions have been flaring for months, after the prime ministers held an emergency meeting.
Some 30 Laos soldiers have been stationed in Cambodia’s northern Stung Treng province since April to halt the construction of a road, according to Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
The spat escalated on Friday when Hun Sen started sending military vehicles up to the area, giving Laos an ultimatum to retreat in six days or face military action.
But on Saturday Hun Sen flew to Vientiane for an urgent meeting with his Laos counterpart.
After the talks the pair announced the issue had been resolved in a joint press conference, broadcast live on Hun Sen’s Facebook.

The neighbours said they would ask border officials to work on demarcating the disputed patch of their 540km land border, where territorial squabbles are fairly common.
“I have ordered relevant authorities to pull back troops by tomorrow morning,” Laos’ leader Thongloun Sisoulith said through a translator.
Hun Sen hailed the agreement as a “big success for both nations” and ordered his soldiers to turn around.
Following Hun Sen’s orders on Friday, a convoy of Cambodian troops and multiple rocket launchers rolled through the capital Phom Penh on their way north, eliciting cheers from onlookers.
Cambodia’s Hun Sen issues ultimatum to Laos over ‘border invasion’
The swell of nationalist fervour comes as Hun Sen readies for a political battle in next year’s general election. The 65-year-old, a shrewd political operator who has held office for 32 years, often draws on heavily nationalist rhetoric to drum up support, especially ahead of election season.
He likes to portray himself as the saviour of country that was ravaged by decades of civil war and foreign invasions.
But he will face a tough challenge from an opposition that has tapped into growing frustration over the corruption and inequality that have flourished during his rule.
Border issues are often highly politicised in Cambodia, with Hun Sen especially vulnerable to criticism of being too lenient in territorial agreements with Vietnam.


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Laos

Laos, Cambodia to withdraw troops from disputed border area

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen exits the plane as his arrives from Laos in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Photo: AP

Army vehicles are seen along a street in Phnom Penh, Cambodia August 11, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer NO SALES NO ARCHIVES

Cambodia’s Hun Sen warns opponents to ‘prepare coffins’ ahead of elections

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen. Photo: Reuters

In this August 16, 2015, photo, Sam Rainsy, front left, former Party President of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), walks at Phnom Penh International Airport, Cambodia. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, lifted a ban on Rainsy's return to the country, daring him to risk imprisonment under an outstanding criminal conviction. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (C) walks toward to the Cambodia-Vietnam border during the 40th anniversary of his decision to defect from the Khmer Rouge army and cross into Vietnam, in Tboung Khmum province on June 21, 2107. Cambodia's strongman premier told his critics and political opponents they faced elimination and should "prepare coffins", an escalation in rhetoric even for a man known for bellicose speeches. / AFP PHOTO / KHEM SOVANNARA

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