国际英语新闻：Cambodian, Thai troops exchange fire again near Preah Vihear temple

It added that "facing this flagrant aggression, Cambodian troops had no option, but to retaliate in self defense and in order to safeguard Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

"Cambodia is sincerely committed to find a peaceful solution with Thailand on the demarcation of the border according to the existing legal documents that both countries must comply with," it said.

Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. Just a week after the enlistment, Cambodia and Thailand have had border conflict due to Thai claim of the ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the temple, triggering a military build-up along the border, and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.

Meanwhile, Kasit Piromya, Thai Foreign Minister said during a press conference in Phnom Penh that he would try his best to mend the ties of both countries.

Kasit said that the clash indicated that the border issue was very sensitive and the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO should handle the disputed issue very carefully.

"The border situation around temple is very sensitive and both sides should restrain."

The relationships between two countries should not be affected by a "minor conflict," Kasit added.

In a related development, Thai army Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha made remarks Friday evening that he believed it would take some time for the Thai and Cambodian ties to be back to normalcy, but he supports the peaceful method.

"There is no use to resort to violent means. We have to handle the border issue extremely carefully; otherwise, it will badly affect the business in border provinces, lives of the Thai and the Cambodian people," Gen Prayuth said.

This latest confrontation occurred while Thailand's Foreign Kasit Piromya is in Cambodia for the 7th Joint Commission meeting to discuss with his counterpart the bilateral cooperation on various issues including the border matter.