Thailand's prime minister said Saturday he is prepared to meet with hisCambodian counterpart to resolve a deadly border dispute.
But Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has not said when a meeting with his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Sen, might occur.
Mr.Somchai says he will not resign despite army chief Anupong Paojinda'ssuggestion he do so during a television interview earlier this week.
Cambodianand Thai military commanders met on their disputed border Saturday todiscuss ways to avoid clashes, after deadly gunfights this week.
Adeadly gunfight between Cambodian and Thai soldiers erupted Wednesdayalong the disputed area near a centuries-old temple. Two Cambodiansoldiers were killed in the shootout, and soldiers from each side werewounded. Cambodia claimed to have captured some Thai troops.
Surroundedby dozens of soldiers in full combat gear, Cambodian Major General SreyDeok and Thai Colonel Chayan Huaysoongnern discussed how to preventfuture flare-ups of violence. After their meeting, the two ate lunchtogether.
Prime Minister Hun Sen said the border clash would not escalate into a wider conflict.
Theprime minister told reporters in Phnom Penh Friday the two rivals haveagreed to resolve the dispute directly, rejecting the need for anoutside mediator to negotiate a settlement.
Military officials from both sides reached an agreement Thursday to conduct joint military patrols along the border.
Wednesday's fighting took place near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, the center of the decades-old land dispute.
In1962, the International Court of Justice granted sovereignty of thetemple to Cambodia, but it did not rule on the surrounding land.
Troopshave been building up on both sides of the border since July, when theUnited Nations approved Cambodia's application to make the temple aWorld Heritage site. The honor enraged Thai nationalists.