Cambodia's main opposition elects new chief

Phnom Penh: Kem Sokha, vice president of the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was elected as the party president on Thursday after the self-exiled incumbent Sam Rainsy stepped down last month.

"The CNRP's extraordinary congress had unanimously elected Kem Sokha as the party's president by raising hands," CNRP's spokesman Yim Sovann said after the votes.

Kem Sokha had been the CNRP's sole vice president since his Human Rights Party merged with Sam Rainsy's eponymous party in 2012 to form the CNRP.

According to Yim Sovann, the party also elected three party senior members -- steering committee chief Pol Ham, executive committee deputy chief Eng Chhay Eang and public affairs director Mu Sochua -- as the party vice-presidents.

The leadership reshuffle was prompted by the resignation of CNRP's long-serving president Sam Rainsy on February 11.