Myanmar president congratulates Cambodian PM on poll victory

Myanmar President U Thein Sein expressed his congratulations to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on the victory of his ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) in the July 28 national election. "On behalf of the government and the people of Myanmar and on my own behalf, I have great pleasure to extend our warmest congratulations to Your Excellency and Cambodian People's Party for the victory in the elections," he said in a message to Hun Sen late Saturday. The ruling CPP of long-serving Hun Sen won 68 parliamentary seats in the poll on Sunday last week and the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) led by recently-pardoned Sam Rainsy got the remaining 55 seats, according to the initial results. However, the CNRP rejected the results due to "serious irregularities" and called for independent investigation with the United Nations as a "referee." "The CNRP wants a joint committee with the participation from the CNRP, the CPP, civil society, national and international observers," Sam Rainsy said in a letter to Im Suosdey, chairman of the National Election Committee (NEC), on Saturday. "The CNRP wants the NEC to act as a coordinator and the United Nations as a referee." NEC's Secretary General Tep Nytha responded on Saturday that the NEC has no rights or authority to set up a committee with the participation of the UN. Upon the poll victory, Hun Sen, who has been in power for 28 years, will be able to extend his rule by five more years.