PHNOM PENH, Aug. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Senwarned Wednesday of civil unrest in the country if King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated.

    Hun Sen made the remarks after he met with Russian Ambassador to Cambodia on Wednesday.

    He said it is a rule in Cambodia's constitution that "the king shall be the head of state for life," and the constitution also stated that "in the case of the death of the king, the new king shall be elected by the Throne Council within a period of not morethan seven days."

    "If Cambodia allowed the king to abdicate at any time, what kind of consequence will be occur. it will cause great panic amongthe people, even the civil unrest," the premier warned.

    In recent months the king has repeatedly said he plans to abdicate, claiming he is old and has a lot of health problems.

    Cambodia's King and Queen left the country on Jan. 19 for a routine medical checkup and treatment in a foreign country and hasnot returned since then.

    As a symbol of unity and eternity of the nation, King Norodom Sihanouk has played important role in critical times in the country's politics in recent years.

    In his letter to reply to the opposition party leader Sam Rainsy on Wednesday, King Norodom Sihanouk said he would not change his mind regarding his decision to abdicate. Moreover, the king said he wishes to have a successor who is "clean and gentle" and who will "strive to serve the country and the nation." Enditem