U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of States Scot Marciel said on Tuesday that Washington wanted to see Phnom Penh and Bangkok to solve their border disputes through peaceful talks for the benefits of the two nations.

Speaking to reporters at a press briefing, Scot Marciel said " we are good friends with Cambodia and Thailand. And likes most other countries are concerned the tension between the two countries, we have said and hoped that both governments and leaders will do what they can to try to reduce tension and then to work trying to find a peaceful and rapid solution to these problems."

War of words between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Thai' s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has escalated since last week over Hun Sen's first tour of the Khmer 11th built Temple of Preah Vihear and Cambodian military forces who beefed up security near the Thai's border.

Relations between the two countries turned rocky in November after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appointed ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who lives abroad to escape a jail term for corruption, as economic advisor of him and his government. Both nations have recalled their ambassadors since.

Cambodia said that the Thais claimed the land of 4.6 square km near the Temple is baseless given the U.N. court of International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962 ruled out that the Temple of Preah Vihear is situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia.

Scot Marciel arrived in the Kingdom on Feb. 8. He held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

The visit is aimed at strengthening the relationship between Washington and Phnom Penh, said an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.