Phnom Penh - King Norodom Sihanouk authorised Cambodia's acting head of state to formally appoint the Foreign Minister, Mr Ung Huot, as first prime minister to replace the king's son, the ousted Prince Norodom Ranariddh. The king, who is in Beijing receiving medical treatment, said in a brief message to the acting head of state, Mr Chea Sim, that he should sign the decree appointing Mr Ung Huot if he thought it appropriate.
Prince Ranariddh was ousted by the Second Prime Minister, Mr Hun Sen, on July 6th after two days of battles between troops loyal to the rival prime ministers in Phnom Penh. - (Reuter)
