Sihanouk has abdicated, says his son

Cambodia8217;s king Norodom Sihanouk has abdicated while in self-imposed exile in Beijing, plunging the country into a new political crisis, his son, the National Assembly President, said today.

8216;8216;According to a royal message that we have received the king has abdicated,8221; said prince Norodom Ranariddh, adding that he hoped the king could be persuaded to change his mind. 8216;8216;The king said Chea Sim the senate president will be the acting head of state and he has written that from now on, Norodom Sihanouk is retired,8217;8217; the prince said.

The king, 81, had been due to return to Cambodia today after repeated threats to abdicate. The king has spent nearly a year in self-imposed exile in China and North Korea after he failed to negotiate a deal between feuding political parties in the wake of inconclusive national elections in July 2003.

His return was called off after opposition leader Samrainsy wrote to the king warning him of 8216;8216;at least verbally violent demonstrations8217;8217; planned to coincide with his return. 8212;PTI