Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has asked soldiers of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) to ensure safety for observers from the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the disputed area of Preah Vihear temple.

Phay Siphan, spokesperson of Cambodian Council of Ministers said that PM Hun Sen gave the instruction on Feb. 26 when a five-person observing team from Indonesia arrived at Preah Vihear the same day.

PM Hun Sen reiterated that Cambodia wants the presence of Indonesian observers in the area until 2012 when Cambodia will take the role of ASEAN chair. Meanwhile, Indonesia, as ASEAN chair this year, plans to send 30 observers to the disputed Cambodian-Thai area./.