Funcinpec head to be appointed as Cambodia's deputy PM

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday in Phnom Penh confirmed the co-ruling Funcinpec Party's declaration on Saturday that its newly-elected president Keo Puth Rasmey will be appointed as one of the kingdom's deputy prime ministers.

"If there is no change, the parliament's permanent committee will prepare an urgent agenda to vote (on Tuesday) to appoint the new president of Funcinpec, Keo Puth Rasmey, as deputy prime minister, and Princess Norodom Marie Ranariddh as senior minister in charge of special missions (of social works)," said Hun Sen.

The appointments were first heard on Saturday at Funcinpec's headquarters, where Secretary General Nhiek Bun Chhay met the press to explain the replacement of Prince Norodom Ranariddh by Keo Puth Rasmey.

"We already requested to Prime Minister Hun Sen and Cambodian People's Party (CPP) to vote to support these senior members and Hun Sen agreed," he said.

Keo Puth Rasmey, 54, is Cambodia's Ambassador to Germany. He is husband to the youngest daughter of former king Norodom Sihanouk.

Princess Norodom Marie Ranariddh is Prince Ranariddh's wife, but the prince is trying to divorce her recently.

Ranariddh was ousted at an extraordinary session of the party on Wednesday for his long overseas stay made him unable to handle the party issues and his unwillingness to cooperate with Hun Sen led to difficulties for the party to co-rule the kingdom with CPP.

Source: Xinhua