Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that he would preside over the opening ceremony of the Southeast Asian Games, provoking criticism from exiled dissidents who say he is disrespecting the monarchy. Cambodia is hosting the May 5-17 SEA games, which bring athletes together throughout the region. In most host countries, the sitting head of state is given the honor of declaring the start of major international sporting events. Though King Norodom Sihamoni is the official head of state in Cambodia, he rarely exercises his limited powers granted by the constitution and tries to avoid getting involved in politics. Hun Sen, 70, has ruled Cambodia since 1985, and is believed to be manipulating the government and the country’s laws in an attempt to pass his role as leader to his son Hun Manet before retiring. The country is scheduled to hold national elections in July that the ruling Cambodian People’s Party is widely expected to win. At the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sihanoukville container terminal on Monday

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