Cambodian PM vows not to step down

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (R) and Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung listen to the National Anthem during the official Inauguration Ceremony of Choray-Phnom Penh Hospital in central Phnom Penh, Jan 13, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

PHNOM PENH - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday reiterated that he would not step down as demanded by the country's main opposition party since the contested election last July.

"No need to speak much. I will not step down," he said during the groundbreaking ceremony for a Chrey Thom-Long Binh bridge in Kandal Province, which was also attended by visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

"I ascended to the prime minister through the constitution. If I descend, it must also be through the constitution."

"I am the legitimate prime minister of Cambodia. I had been elected by the people and the National Assembly and was appointed by King Norodom Sihamoni," he said. "I will continue to hold the position of prime minister for the whole five-year term with responsibilities."

Political dispute between the Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party and the Sam Rainsy's opposition party has persisted since the July poll results showed that the ruling party won 68 parliamentary seats and the opposition got 55 seats.

Claiming serious irregularities, the opposition refused to accept the results and has boycotted parliament and held protests in order to demand the resignation of Hun Sen and a re-election.

The leaders of the two parties had met twice in September in an attempt to narrow political differences, but the talks failed to produce results.