Sihanouk prays for peace

Siem Reap - Cambodia's King Norodom Sihanouk yesterday began the first round of two months of Buddhist peace ceremonies, praying…

Siem Reap - Cambodia's King Norodom Sihanouk yesterday began the first round of two months of Buddhist peace ceremonies, praying for an end to the unrest that has rocked his country.

"Today we celebrate religious ceremonies in order to find peace for our people and to stop fighting each other," the ailing 74-year-old monarch told a small crowd gathered at the royal residence in this historic town.

The king's comments come as forces of his eldest son, deposed First Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh, were defending their last bastion on the Thai border against a fierce onslaught from Second Prime Minister Hun Sen's troops.

Hun Sen ousted the prince in fierce fighting in Phnom Penh in early July and the king, who returned home on Friday following six months of medical treatment in China, has been appealing to both sides for a ceasefire and peace. - (AFP)