Cambodia's ruling party rejects rumors of Hun Sen quitting PM post

The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) has categorically rejected rumors that Prime Minister Hun Sen would step down after he was elected as the CPP's president on Saturday.

According to a CPP statement released Saturday night, after the 38th congress of the CPP's Central Committee elected Hun Sen as the party's president, rumors spread that Hun Sen would stop holding the post of the prime minister.

"For this issue, the CPP would like to publicly announce that Hun Sen still continues to be the prime minister and will be the ( party's) candidacy for the post of prime minister in next terms in accordance with the past resolutions of the party's congresses," the statement said.

Hun Sen, who was formerly the party's vice president, was elected as the party's president on Saturday, 12 days after former party president and Senate president Chea Sim died at the age of 83 due to illness.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, 63, has been in power for 30 years. In May 2013, he publicly said that he would stay in power until he is 74.