After two months in self-exile, the prominent opposition politician, Sam Rainsy, one of the government's fiercest critics, has returned to Cambodia amid tight security.

Mr Rainsy and his party's MPs plan to take up their seats in parliament, despite allegations of widespread fraud in the July general election.

On his return, Mr Rainsy said he hoped that reconciliation among former political foes would be possible. But even before he arrived, there appeared to be little sign of goodwill.

Police guard the airport on Mr Rainsy's arrival

The authorities had refused permission for him to lay a wreath outside the National Assembly, the site where thousands of people staged an unprecedented sit-in for several weeks, claiming the election was rigged and the spot where many of his supporters died in a grenade attack more than a year ago.

Armed police cordoned off the area, and party activists who had arrived at the airport to greet Mr Rainsy were forcibly removed by security officials.

While voicing concerns about the future safety of his supporters, Mr Rainsy said he was prepared to give the new coalition government the benefit of the doubt, but would be looking for signs that it was prepared to tackle issues such as the reform of the judiciary and rampant corruption.

As for his own participation in any new government, Mr Rainsy remained evasive, saying only that he was not concerned about personal positions but about reform.