New premier is named

Phnom Penh - Cambodia's royalist Funcinpec party named a new premier yesterday to succeed deposed First Prime Minister Prince…

Phnom Penh - Cambodia's royalist Funcinpec party named a new premier yesterday to succeed deposed First Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh, as parliament prepared to meet for the first time in seven months.

There were early signs the nomination of Foreign Minister Ung Huot as the new first premier could ease the crisis gripping the country since co-premier Hun Sen deposed the prince in two days of street battles early this month.

"I put the interest of my country above everything else, above parties, above my boss Prince Ranariddh, whom I respect," Ung Huot said.