PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen hinted that his son will take over as Prime Minister within the month. During an interview on Chinese television, he said that Gen. Hun Manet has been trained to be his successor for the good of the nation. The news comes just days before the Cambodian election.

in an interview with the Chinese television station Phoenix News, broadcast yesterday, Prime Minister Hun Sen said,

"Now I am sitting with full power, but a month later, I may not have the power like I do today."

The PM stated that he has trained his son to be the Prime Minister, and this is not a new thing in the world: that the children of other world leaders have already set an example by becoming leaders of the country after their fathers or grandfathers; that includes the leaders of the United States.

He stressed that he would be the one to transfer his power to his successor and said that it was not for Manet, but for the benefit of the nation, the people and the peace of the country. "He will serve the people better than me," he said. “Although, I am making the biggest sacrifice…[When Hun Manet becomes PM] I will be the one who used to be the Prime Minister…I will just be the father of the Prime Minister."

He added, “We can't stop criticism [of the transfer]. The important thing is that Hun Manet be the Prime Minister in accordance with the Constitution of Cambodia. No one has the right to disqualify Hun Manet when he is not guilty of anything.”