Thai talks fail to broker agreement

To Thailand now where the country's Prime Minister and anti-government protest leaders have failed to reach an agreement during nationally-televised talks on ways to solve the country's political crisis. Both sides say they will try again on Monday.

Sunday's discussions marked a civilized pause, after weeks of demonstrations and fiery rhetoric that prompted Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to seek refuge at an army base.

The two sides shook hands and smiled at the start of the meeting. But they reiterated their sharply different stances, and adjourned three hours later, no closer to a resolution.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (2nd L) shakes hands with the leader of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) Veera Musikapong during a meeting at an academic institute in Bangkok March 28, 2010. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom