Cambodian king addresses nation

Cambodians know little about their new king

Cambodia's new King Norodom Sihamoni has addressed his people for the first time and promised to be their "faithful and loyal servant".

Tens of thousands of people descended on the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh to hear the new monarch speak.

The former ballet dancer was enthroned on Friday, amid three days of glittering coronation celebrations.

He has taken over from his father, King Norodom Sihanouk, who has bowed out after a reign of more than 60 years.

"My father... told me the king is not the boss of the people. Instead, we must keep ourselves humble to the people to serve the interests of the nation," said King Sihamoni, speaking from a balcony, under a huge parasol.

"I will always be with you, to share happiness and sadness together with you."

Balloons and doves

Correspondents described the atmosphere as festive, with balloons and white doves released into the air in celebration.

Muted ceremony Pictures of coronation

The crowd was made up mostly of military personnel, government employees and school children, said the BBC's Guy De Launey in Phnom Penh.

Prime Minister Hun Sen paid tribute to King Sihamoni and his father.

"The continuity of the constitutional monarchy is a key to the stability of the kingdom of Cambodia," he said.

Little is known about the new king, aged 51, who has spent much of his life outside Cambodia - as a ballet dancer and teacher, as well as Cambodia's ambassador to the UN cultural agency, Unesco.

So curious were some of the crowd to get a glimpse of him on Saturday, they broke through a blockade before being ushered back, the Associated Press reported.

"I've seen the face of the old king many times already, but now I want to see the face of the new one," said Chea Uorn, 79, who had travelled 80km (50 miles) to attend the ceremony.

Lone protester

One of Sihamoni's potential strengths is that he is seen as apolitical.

However, that did not stop one lone protester from slipping through a security cordon to parade a banner saying "Evil China" in front of the new king, whose father had close ties with Beijing.

Profile of King Sihamoni

The succession process began earlier this month, when former King Sihanouk abdicated due to ill health.

There was no legal provision in the event of a monarch's abdication, and laws had to be rushed through parliament to enable a throne council to convene and choose a successor.

While Cambodian kings used to have great authority, the position is now largely symbolic, but it remains an important post because of the reverence Cambodian people give to the royal family.