UN court orders Thai, Cambodian troops to leave disputed temple

REUTERS - The highest U.N. court ordered Thailand and Cambodia on Monday to pull their soldiers out of a newly defined demilitarised zone around a temple and to restart talks in order to resolve the decades-long conflict.

The recent fighting between Cambodia and Thailand has resulted in 18 deaths and forced the relocation of tens of thousands of villagers on both sides since February, when tensions flared over ancient Hindu temples.

In its ruling, the court said the situation “remains unstable” and “could deteriorate” as it defined a demilitarised zone around the temple and urged Thailand and Cambodia to engage in talks.

The court also ordered both states to allow observers from the Association of South East Asian Nations to enter the area.