A prominent Cambodian opposition politician, Sam Rainsy, who's returned to the country after a two-month absence, has criticised the authorities for not letting him hold a rally outside the National Assembly following his return.

In an interview with the BBC, Mr Rainsy described the authorities' decision as a bad omen which showed a continued violation of people's rights to free speech and free association.

Mr Rainsy said he would not join the new coalition government -- agreed between the royalist FUNCINPEC party led by Prince Ranariddh and the Cambodia People's Party of Hun Sen -- because he would not, as he put it, betray the will of the people for a position in what he described as an undemocratic and corrupt government.