Cambodia's prime minister has rejected a call from the country's former king to reconcile with opposition leader Sam Rainsy.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said he could not restore parliamentary immunity to Mr. Rainsy and two other opposition members.

In a joint letter with coalition partner Prince Norodom Ranariddh, Hun Sen said immunity was removed at the request of the court - and that only the court could ask parliament to reverse it.

Retired King Norodom Sihanouk made his plea last week, after Sam Rainsy and a colleague fled the country to escape defamation lawsuits by the prime minister. A third opposition member has been arrested and charged with organizing a militia to oppose the government.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.