US sends condolences to Cambodia for royal loss

PHNOM PENH (Cambodia Herald) - WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States on Monday voiced its condolences at the death of Cambodia's revered ex-king Norodom Sihanouk, who was toppled by a pro-American coup in 1970 and was a long-time ally of China.

"The United States expresses its sympathy on the passing of His Majesty King Father Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a brief statement.

"We extend our condolences to His Majesty King Sihamoni, Her Majesty Queen Mother Norodom Monineath, the entire Royal Family, and those in Cambodia who are mourning this loss."

The former king, who was also close to the North Korean leadership, died in Beijing of a heart attack aged 89, according to his longtime personal assistant Prince Sisowath Thomico.

"King Sihanouk did not belong to his family, he belonged to Cambodia and to history," Thomico told AFP of the former monarch who abruptly quit the throne in October 2004, citing old age and health problems.

"It's painful. I am full of sorrow," the prince said.

Sihanouk, who steered his country through decades of painful political and social convulsions, from independence to civil war and invasion, is set to be brought back to his homeland on Wednesday.