King Norodom Sihanouk returned home Saturday after a three-month absence from Cambodia’s tumultuous political scene.
The King’s flight from Beijing touched down at Siem Reap airport shortly before 6 pm. The monarch emerged looking in good health and waved to the welcoming party.
The King and Queen Monineath warmly greeted the party of government officials and parliamentarians—most of them Funcinpec members—who traveled from Phnom Penh to greet him.
“I am very happy to see you here,” the King told National Assembly President Chea Sim and First Prime Minister Ung Huot as he embraced them on the tarmac.
Second Prime Minister Hun Sen was not present, having canceled all public appearances until May following the death of his mother last month.
A military honor guard also was on hand to salute the King, as well as a group of ordinary citizens who lined the red carpet.
“Father and Mother have missed you very much,” the King told the townspeople. “Father is back from China from having medical treatment. We make merits for peace. When all the children are unified, peace will come.”
The King left Cambodia on Jan 5, following a campaign of sustained media criticism against his decision to grant an unconditional pardon to his son, deposed first prime minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh.
The King departed abruptly for Beijing, only hours after reversing his decision to grant the pardon. From China, the monarch complained bitterly that “unjust and vicious attacks” from the “republican” media were forcing him into exile from his homeland.
Last month, Hun Sen appealed to the King to return to Cambodia and called on the media to stop their attacks.
Immediately after his arrival, the King met with Ung Huot and other officials in his residence in the center of Siem Reap. The King is scheduled to give an audience next week to his son, Prince Ranariddh, who is expected to return to Cambodia shortly after the end of New Year festivities on April 17.
Hun Sen also will meet the King in early May, after finishing his period of mourning, according to aides.
The King plans to talk with Asean representatives from Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines in Siem Reap on April 19, an Asean official said.
On Thursday, the King will meet Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia Masaki Saito, Kyodo News Service reported.
Opinions remained divided over what role the King ought to take in the ongoing political crisis in the country.
“As guarantor of the Constitution he has a role to play in paving the way to free and fair elections,” one long-time political observer said before his arrival. “He should be pressing for things like the establishment of the Constitutional Council.”
Another analyst cautioned that the King should be ready to accept the limits of his influence over political leaders who may not welcome his input.
