Cambodian King, Queen Mother express condolences over death of Prince Ranariddh

Phnom Penh, Nov 30 (IANS) Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk have extended their profound condolences to the bereaved royal families over the death of Prince Norodom Ranariddh.

"I would like to express my great sadness and deepest sympathy to the bereaved royal families over the Prince's passing away," Sihamoni said in a condolence message on Monday.

"The passing away of Prince Norodom Ranariddh is the loss of a great father for his sons, daughters, relatives and friends, and the loss of an outstanding royal figure, who had greatly contributed to the cause of the nation, religion and King," he added.

Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk said she was shocked to learn about the Prince's death, expressing her extreme grief to the bereaved royal families, Xinhua news agency reported.

"I pray for the soul of Prince Norodom Ranariddh to rest in eternal peace," she wrote in a condolence letter.

Ranariddh, President of Funcinpec Party and head of the Supreme Privy Advisory Council to the King, died in France on Sunday due to illness at the age of 77, said Prince Norodom Chakravuth, Acting President of Funcinpec Party and Ranariddh's son.

"The body of Prince Norodom Ranariddh will be flown to the Kingdom of Cambodia in the near future," he added in a statement on Sunday evening.

Ranariddh was the second son of late King Father Norodom Sihanouk and a half-brother of the current king, Norodom Sihamoni.

He was former co-Prime Minister from 1993 to 1997 and ex-President of the National Assembly from 1998 to 2006.