Fighting spreads along Thai-Cambodian border

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PHANOM DONG RAK, Apr 26: (AFP): Thai and Cambodian troops opened a new front Tuesday in their deadliest fighting in recent history, despite mounting diplomatic pressure to end clashes that have left 13 dead. Tens of thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes on both sides as heavy weapons fire pounded the jungle frontier, shattering a fragile ceasefire that had held since February. The two armies exchanged fire Tuesday near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which has been the focus of strained relations between the neighbours since it was granted UN World Heritage status in 2008. Fighting erupted near the ruins at 1:30 pm (0630 GMT) and lasted for 30 minutes, said Thai army spokesman Colonel Prawit Hookaew. The fighting took place 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of two other disputed temple complexes that have been the scene of hostilities which have left at least 13 soldiers dead since Friday. In February 10 people were killed near the Preah Vihear temple, prompting a UN appeal for a permanent ceasefire. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday urged Thailand and Cambodia to show restraint and said Washington was "deeply concerned". She said that the United States had engaged directly with Thai and Cambodian officials in hopes of ending the violence, without providing further details.