JAKARTA, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Unarmed observers will keep watch on the border between Thailand and Cambodia where there have been deadly clashes, a minister said.
Cambodian leaders in early February called for U.N. support following several days of incidents with Thai soldiers along the border. Soldiers on both sides were killed and Cambodian authorities evacuated civilians from Hindu temple Preah Vihear, a World Heritage site.
Thai authorities protested what they said were "unprovoked" attacks by Cambodian troops.
Clashes are common along the Thai-Cambodian border. Fighting is centered in part on the 11th-century temple on the Cambodian side of the border but that can most easily be reached on a road passing into Thai territory.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said Jakarta was sending unarmed observers to monitor the situation, the BBC reports.
He maintained, however, that the observers weren't acting in any sort of formal capacity.
"This is an observer team, not a peacekeeping or peace enforcement team," he stressed.
Border conflicts near the Hindu temple claimed at least eight lives this month. Thai officials said it was premature to sign a cease-fire with Cambodia, saying it wasn't their country that started the latest skirmish.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, however, proposed the cease-fire. He said signing could be witnessed by members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at a meeting this week.
