Environment officials in Cambodia say illegal logging in the country's national parks and wildlife reserves has increased dramatically since general elections in July because of political uncertainties and delays in forming a new coalition government.

The officials say that in one national park Bokor- once proposed as a United Nations World Heritage site because of its rich plant and animal life - valuable tropical hardwoods have been cut down in recent months by armed operators taking advantage of the political confusion.

Park officials have welcomed the recent arrival of a government delegation to investigate the illegal logging after Prime Minister Hun Sen last week pledged to strengthen protection of the forest.