Cambodia announces Dec 8 as national day of mourning for Prince Ranariddh's death

In this file photo taken on November 20, 2019, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) hugs Prince Norodom Ranariddh, leader of the royalist FUNCINPEC party during the funeral rite of Princess Norodom Buppha Devi at a pagoda in Phnom Penh. Former Cambodian prime minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh died in France on November 28, 2021, the country's information minister announced on Facebook. - AFP

PHNOM PENH, Dec 4 (Xinhua): Cambodia announced Dec 8 as the national day of mourning for the passing away of Prince Norodom Ranariddh, the country's Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said in a national circular.

Hun Sen said Prince Ranariddh, chairman of the Supreme Privy Advisory Council to the king, former first prime minister and ex-president of the National Assembly, had greatly contributed to the cause of the nation, religion and monarchy during his life time.

"All ministries, institutions, schools, hospitals, pagodas, civil servants, armed forces and people across the country must fly national flags at half-mast on Dec. 8, 2021," he said.

"All television and radio stations must suspend performing and broadcasting joyful spectacles on Dec. 8, 2021."

Ranariddh, who was also president of royalist Funcinpec Party and a half-brother of current King Norodom Sihamoni, died in France on Nov. 28 of illness at the age of 77.

The prince's body will be flown to Cambodia from France on Dec. 5 for a traditional funeral, Funcinpec Party's spokesman Nhoeun Raden said on Friday. - Xinhua