King Norodom Sihamoni will participate as scheduled in the
swearing-in ceremony for the new government next month, despite a request from
opposition for him to postpone it.
"The king cannot walk outside of the law," Prince
Sisowath Thomico, assistant to the king, told VOA Khmer Wednesday. "Especially
after the official declaration of the election results by the National Election
Committee and the approval of the Constitutional Council."
Though the Sam Rainsy and Human Rights parties have
threatened to boycott the ceremony, claiming the election was fraudulent, the
king will preside because the "legal and political conditions cannot push
the king outside the ceremony," Prince Thomico said.
Both parties had requested the king postpone the ceremony,
as they seek to prove a number of irregularities will necessitate another round
of national voting.
Cambodian People's Party officials maintain they can conduct
the National Assembly even without the participation of 26 SRP and three HRP
elected parliamentarians.
The king "cannot interfere in a political conflict
between the opposition and ruling parties," Prince Thomico said.
The king will forward any request to postpone the ceremony to
the government and the office of the National Assembly for consideration,
Prince Thomico said.