Cambodia Swears In Regime Led by Onetime Co-Premier

Four months after his narrow victory in disputed elections, Hun Sen was sworn in as Cambodia’s prime minister Monday with a new government that he promised will carry out much-needed reforms.

The ceremony ended 17 months of crisis since the previous administration collapsed in violence.

Hun Sen, his 27 new ministers and 54 secretaries of state put on traditional white tunics and orange pantaloons for the ceremony at the Royal Palace.

King Norodom Sihanouk confirmed the government in a royal decree sent from Beijing, where he is receiving medical treatment. His son, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, president of the National Assembly, presided over the ceremony as acting head of state.

Hun Sen and Ranariddh had shared power as co-premiers, but Hun Sen deposed the prince in a bloody coup last year. After the coup, the prince and most of his ministers fled Cambodia and did not return until a few months before national elections that were held in July.

Earlier Monday, Hun Sen and his coalition Cabinet were approved 99 to 13 by the 122-seat National Assembly. Three lawmakers abstained, six were absent, and one vote was declared invalid.

At the United Nations on Monday, Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued a statement in which he said he hoped “to see Cambodia resume its full role in the family of nations.”