Cambodia's senate convenes 1st session

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (C) attends the first session of the third Cambodian Senate in Phnom Penh on March 24, 2012. The third Cambodian Senate on Saturday held its first session after the non-universal elections in January. (Xinhua/Zhao Yishen)

PHNOM PENH, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Senate of the third legislature on Saturday held its first session after the non-universal elections in January.
The first session was presided over by the King Norodom Sihamoni.
The January's Senate elections were voted by Members of Parliaments and commune councilors. As a result, the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of Prime Minister Hun Sen won 46 seats and Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), the country's main opposition party, gained the remaining 11 seats.
Speaking at the opening of the first session, King Norodom Sihamoni expressed warm congratulations to the elected senators who would fulfill their parliamentary role in this supreme legislative body. "The senate in the third mandate will continue to contribute more actively to the enhancement of social democratization, aiming at ensuring the social and economic development and protecting the common interests of all classes of citizens," he said.
In addition, the king said the senate will ensure the protection of justice and human rights in order to enhance the long-lasting harmony in the society.
"I'd like to ask all the Senators to do your best to fulfill your mandate, maintain discipline and morality, ensure a high performance and honestly and truly respect the oath of allegiance," he added.
Cambodia's senate has 61 seats, but the election is held for only 57 seats as two are nominated by the king and the other two by the National Assembly.
The senate, or the upper house, was established on March 25, 1999 and the election is held once in six years.