PUTRAJAYA, (Malaysia): Thailand and Cambodia’s leaders agreed to an “unconditional” ceasefire Monday, after five days of combat along their jungle-clad frontier that has killed at least 36 people.

Nearly 300,000 people have fled as the two sides fired artillery, rockets and guns in a battle over the long-disputed area, which is home to a smattering of ancient temples.

The flare-up was the deadliest since violence raged sporadically from 2008-2011 over the territory, claimed by both sides because of a vague demarcation made by Cambodia’s French colonial administrators in 1907. Reading a joint statement from the leaders of both countries after peace talks, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said they had agreed “an immediate and unconditional ceasefire” with effect from midnight Monday (1700 GMT). “This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security,” he said at a press conference in Malaysia’s administrative capital Putrajaya, flanked by Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet.—AFP