Original report from Phnom Penh
03 October 2008
The announcement Thursday night by Prince Norodom Ranariddh that he was quitting politics for good led to an emergency session of his party Friday and suddenly altered Cambodia's political landscape.
Prince Ranariddh, who emerged in the 1990s as Hun Sen's chief political rival and only returned to Cambodia on Saturday after a year and a half of exile, told journalists at a dinner party Thursday night he was done with politics.
"I will resign from politics. I will go to work at the Royal Palace, if King [Norodom] Sihamoni allows me to work with him," Prince Ranariddh told a crowded banquet room of reporters. "My resignation will not affect my party."
Prince Ranariddh, who emerged in the 1990s as Hun Sen's chief political rival and only returned to Cambodia on Saturday after a year and a half of exile, told journalists at a dinner party Thursday night he was done with politics.
"I will resign from politics. I will go to work at the Royal Palace, if King [Norodom] Sihamoni allows me to work with him," Prince Ranariddh told a crowded banquet room of reporters. "My resignation will not affect my party."
