Kong Korm expects to be new Sam Rainsy Party leader next month

Sam Rainsy Party acting president Kong Korm

PHNOM PENH (Cambodia Herald) - Sam Rainsy Party Acting President Kong Korm said Wednesday he expected to become the party's new leader next month after Sam Rainsy resigns to lead a a new opposition party.

Kong Korm said Sam Rainsy, who lives in exile, had sent a letter to him clarifying his resignation which will be announced at a party congress in early November.

"I can be selected as leader of the Sam Rainsy Party at the congress next month as no one else from the party has applied as a candidate," he said.

The new party, officially known as the National Rescue Party in English, was registered by the Ministry of Interior last week. It is being set up by the Sam Rainsy Party and the Human Rights Party. The two existing parties are not planning to dissolve since they won seats in commune elections earlier this year.