PHNOM PENH: The Royal Government’s top leaders have paid their respect to the late Prince Norodom Ranariddh on Monday. The remains of Prince Ranariddh are lying in his resident at Samdech Panh Street, Boeung Reang commune, Daun Penh district in Phnom Penh. His body arrived from France on Sunday via chartered flight.

Senate President Say Chhum, National Assembly President Heng Samrin and Prime Minister Hun Sen -they all paid respect to the late Prince Norodom Ranariddh on Monday. The deceased half-brother of King Norodom Sihamoni. Prince Ranariddh died on the 28th of November in France at the age of 77. He succumbed to his illness.

Upon arrival on Sunday, his body was embalmed for further four days prior to cremation. Cambodian leaders find time to pay their last respect to the former Prime Minister of Cambodia. He was the first Prime Minister from 1993 to 1997 and the President of the National Assembly from 1998 to 2006.

Last Friday, Prime Minister Hun Sen has issued a proclamation announcing the 8 December as a National Day of Mourning for Prince Ranariddh and requiring that all ministries, schools, hospitals, military bases, pagodas and the general public fly the Cambodian flag at half-mast. Prince Norodom Ranariddh’s remains will also be cremated on Wednesday, 8th of December.