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UN chief concerned about increasing tensions in Cambodia

Xinhua, November 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday expressed concerns over increasing tensions between the ruling party and opposition in Cambodia, especially about an arrest warrant against opposition leader.

"The arrest warrant issued against opposition leader Sam Rainsy on 13 November and earlier incidents against opposition parliamentarians and leaders are worrisome developments," said a statement by the secretary-general's spokesman.

Ban urged the Cambodian People's Party and the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) to resume their cooperation and dialogue and encouraged all political players to refrain from violence, intimidation and harassment, it said.

A non-threatening environment of democratic dialogue is essential for political stability and a peaceful society, said the statement.

Rainsy, president of the opposition CNRP, has cancelled his return to Cambodia from South Korea after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued an arrest warrant against him over a conviction for defamation in 2011.

Political tensions have increased in recent months after the CNRP organized protests against Prime Minister Hun Sen during his visits to the United Nations in New York and France. Endit