Secretary-General congratulates Cambodia’s new King Norodom Sihamoni

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the Royal Throne Council’s unanimous election of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni as the new King and Head of State of the Royal Kingdom of Cambodia.  He wishes him every success in this important role.

The Secretary-General takes this opportunity to extend to His Majesty King Sihamoni his sincere congratulations and best wishes.  He also wishes to pay tribute to His Majesty Samdech Norodom Sihanouk for the outstanding public service he has rendered to his country spanning half a century, and the indispensable role he played during the peace process that led to the first democratic elections in Cambodia in 1993.

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