| English.news.cn 2013-12-20 13:01:01 |
   
 
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PHNOM PENH, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said
Friday that he would neither step down nor hold a reelection as the
opposition's daily protest entered sixth day.
"I have ascended to the prime minister through the constitution. If I descend, it will also be through the constitution," Hun Sen told reporters after a parliamentary session. "Therefore, I confirm that there is no reelection because no one can dissolve the National Assembly and no mechanism states about a snap election before the end of the term."
The premier said Cambodia was different from other countries where prime ministers could dissolve parliaments.
He said according to Article 78 of Cambodia's constitution, the National Assembly shall not be dissolved before the end of its five-year term, except when the royal government is twice deposed within a period of twelve months.
"So, in Cambodia, the prime minister, the king, and the National Assembly itself have no rights to dissolve the parliament, " he said.
In regard to the opposition's plan to block highways and capture government buildings next month to force him to step down, the premier said that legal measures would be taken to ensure security and public order.
"If it happens, blocking roads is illegal and it will affect people, so the government will respond to this action in accordance to the law," the premier said. "The government has exercised its restraint and respected for the rights of people in holding peaceful demonstrations, but the government will not agree with any unlawful activities that can cause instability to the nation and the people."
Sam Rainsy, president of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, has launched a new round of daily protest in capital Phnom Penh since Sunday by leading thousands of protesters through streets.
Political dispute between Hun Sen's ruling party and Sam Rainsy 's opposition party has persisted since July's election results showed that the ruling party won a majority of vote with 68 parliamentary seats against 55 seats for the opposition.
The opposition refused to accept the outcome, claiming serious irregularities and has boycotted parliament since then in order to call for Prime Minister Hun Sen to step down or to hold a reelection.
One of the protests in mid-September turned violent as protesters threw stones at police and the police retaliated with tear gas, smoke bombs and water cannons. As a result, a protester was shot dead and several got wounded.
"I have ascended to the prime minister through the constitution. If I descend, it will also be through the constitution," Hun Sen told reporters after a parliamentary session. "Therefore, I confirm that there is no reelection because no one can dissolve the National Assembly and no mechanism states about a snap election before the end of the term."
The premier said Cambodia was different from other countries where prime ministers could dissolve parliaments.
He said according to Article 78 of Cambodia's constitution, the National Assembly shall not be dissolved before the end of its five-year term, except when the royal government is twice deposed within a period of twelve months.
"So, in Cambodia, the prime minister, the king, and the National Assembly itself have no rights to dissolve the parliament, " he said.
In regard to the opposition's plan to block highways and capture government buildings next month to force him to step down, the premier said that legal measures would be taken to ensure security and public order.
"If it happens, blocking roads is illegal and it will affect people, so the government will respond to this action in accordance to the law," the premier said. "The government has exercised its restraint and respected for the rights of people in holding peaceful demonstrations, but the government will not agree with any unlawful activities that can cause instability to the nation and the people."
Sam Rainsy, president of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, has launched a new round of daily protest in capital Phnom Penh since Sunday by leading thousands of protesters through streets.
Political dispute between Hun Sen's ruling party and Sam Rainsy 's opposition party has persisted since July's election results showed that the ruling party won a majority of vote with 68 parliamentary seats against 55 seats for the opposition.
The opposition refused to accept the outcome, claiming serious irregularities and has boycotted parliament since then in order to call for Prime Minister Hun Sen to step down or to hold a reelection.
One of the protests in mid-September turned violent as protesters threw stones at police and the police retaliated with tear gas, smoke bombs and water cannons. As a result, a protester was shot dead and several got wounded.
Editor:
Fu Peng
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