Cambodia s main opposition elects new chief

Phnom Penh March 2 (IANS) Kem Sokha vice president of the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was elected as the party president on Thursday after the self-exiled incumbent Sam Rainsy stepped down last month.

The CNRP s extraordinary congress had unanimously elected Kem Sokha as the party s president by raising hands CNRP s spokesman Yim Sovann said after the votes.

Kem Sokha had been the CNRP s sole vice president since his Human Rights Party merged with Sam Rainsy s eponymous party in 2012 to form the CNRP.

According to Yim Sovann the party also elected three party senior members -- steering committee chief Pol Ham executive committee deputy chief Eng Chhay Eang and public affairs director Mu Sochua -- as the party vice-presidents.

The leadership reshuffle was prompted by the resignation of CNRP s long-serving president Sam Rainsy on February 11.

--IANS
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