Dhaka, July 26 -- Malaysia has urged Cambodia and Thailand to exercise utmost restraint and take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions.

Malaysia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Malaysia, as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping, is following the unfolding clashes with deep concern, reports Xinhua.

"Malaysia wishes to underscore the importance of resolving the border dispute through dialogue and diplomacy in the spirit of ASEAN solidarity and good neighborliness," it said on Friday.

Earlier, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had spoken to the leaders of both Thailand and Cambodia in a bid to appeal to them to work towards a ceasefire.

"I appealed directly to both leaders for an ...