ASEAN warned against meddling in Cambodia

“But no country in the world wants others to interfere in its domestic affairs. We are no different from them,” said Ung Huot, adding that the mission would meet with coup leader Hun Sen on Saturday and leave the same afternoon. Hun Sen has attempted to put up Ung Huot as a replacement for first Prime Minister Norodom Ranariddh, whom he ousted in a bloody takeover on July 5-6.

Several countries, including those of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), have said they still recognize Ranariddh as first Prime Minister.

“What is not interfering in our internal affairs can be accepted by us,” said Ung Huot.

ASEAN has indefinitely postponed Cambodia’s entry into the regional economic bloc, originally scheduled for July 23, in objection to the violent change of government.

Several of Ranariddh’s supporters including senior government officials and at least 14 members of Parliament have fled the country fearing for their lives.

There have been at least 40 extra-judicial killings following the putsch, according to human rights officials who on Thursday revealed evidence of ongoing killings.

ASEAN has sought a role in mediating the conflict and sent the three foreign ministers to confer with Hun Sen shortly after the coup.

Hun Sen spurned the diplomats and said he would withdraw his country’s application to join the group, but has since reiterated his desire that Cambodia become a full member of ASEAN and has shown a willingness to reopen dialogue.