Cambodia PM, opposition leader greet King Sihamoni at airport

English.news.cn   2013-09-11 18:04:13

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (R) is greeted by Prime Minister Hun Sen (2nd L) and his wife Bun Rany (2nd R) at the Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sept. 11, 2013. Cambodia's long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen and long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy greeted King Norodom Sihamoni on his return from Beijing on Wednesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Sovannara)  Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (C) is greeted by opposition leader Sam Rainsy (2nd L) at the Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sept. 11, 2013. Cambodia's long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen and long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy greeted King Norodom Sihamoni on his return from Beijing on Wednesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Sovannara)

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen and long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy greeted King Norodom Sihamoni on his return from Beijing on Wednesday afternoon, the first time the perennial political rivals had appeared in public together in five years.
But the two political foes have neither shaken hands nor talked to each other during the event at the Phnom Penh International Airport.
Their public appearance together came after the country's political situation has deepened since Sam Rainsy rejected the July 28 election results that handed the victory to Hun Sen's ruling party.
Speaking to reporters after the greetings of the king's return, Sam Rainsy said he "does not interest in meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen."
The National Election Committee released the final election results on Sunday, confirming that Hun Sen's party won 68 seats and Sam Rainsy's party 55 seats.
King Norodom Sihamoni said in a royal message on Monday that he would convene the first National Assembly session on Sept. 23.
But Sam Rainsy has announced that his party would boycott the first parliamentary session if there was no a proper solution to the alleged election irregularities.
He set Sept. 15, 16, and 17 for a massive non-violent protest at the capital's Freedom Park against the election results.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that his party has enough lawmakers to override any opposition parliamentary boycott and form a new government.
He said, according to the constitution, a new government would be formed by a 50 percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new parliament.
Hun Sen, 61, who has been in power for 28 years, will extend his power for another five years through the victory.

Editor: Luan