King Sihanouk of Cambodia has formally appointed Hun Sen as the country's prime minister following parliamentary elections held in July.

The move comes a day after the national assembly met for the first time, ending months of political deadlock after the elections.

Hun Sen, who's head of the Cambodian People's Party, will lead a governing coalition with the FUNCINPEC party of Prince Norodom Ranariddh - who becomes speaker of the assembly.

The two parties have agreed to share ministerial positions in the cabinet, which is expected to be announced next week.Hun Sen has been Cambodia's acting prime minister since he ousted Prince Ranariddh from a previous power-sharing government in a coup in July 1997.