National day of mourning for Ranariddh set on Dec 8

The country announced Dec 8 as the national day of mourning for Prince Norodom Ranariddh, Prime Minister Hun Sen said in a 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 the national flag at half-mast on Dec 8,” he said.

Prince 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 body will be flown back from France today. — Xinhua