The Cambodian government on Monday issued a statement, warning foreign diplomats against interfering in the country's internal affairs over the contested July 28 election that handed victory to Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in the statement that the opening session of the fifth legislature of the National Assembly on Monday morning under the patronage of King Norodom Sihamoni was held in accordance with the constitution and the existing laws of Cambodia despite a boycott of the opposition party.

All 68 elected lawmakers from the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen were present at the opening session, while all the 55 legislators from the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) of long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy boycotted the session as it refused to accept the election results.

"Cambodia does not need to resort to laws from other countries. Moreover, the country does not need at all the endorsement by any foreign envoy on the outcomes of the general elections on July 28, 2013 and the functioning of the National Assembly," the ministry said.

"Cambodia is not a banana republic, and the country can never accept the arrogant behavior of ambassador from any foreign diplomatic missions, whatever the country he represents."

The ministry urged foreign diplomats to Cambodia to respect the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which stipulated that foreign countries have "the duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State."



The warning came after the US embassy issued a statement, saying that the participation of US ambassador William E. Todd at the inaugural session of the fifth legislature of the National Assembly was not an endorsement of any election outcome or of any political party.

"The United States calls for a transparent review of irregularities in the July 28 national elections which would help efforts to assess and address flaws in the electoral process," the statement said.

It also urged Cambodian ruling and opposition parties to follow through on their joint statement last week supporting discussion of electoral reforms and agreeing to resolve national problems through dialogue.

"We believe that a functioning National Assembly requires the participation of both major political parties," it said. "The United States urges the party leaders to work together for an outcome that unites the country and best serves the Cambodian people."

On Monday, the European Union also urged the political parties to work together to identify any flaws that occurred and to agree on steps to improve the electoral process.

"The European Union believes that the National Assembly cannot serve its purpose without the participation of all elected political parties," the EU said in a statement.

Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the so-called irregularities in the July 28 general elections have been completely dealt with by the competent institutions of Cambodia, the National Election Committee and the Constitutional Council in accordance with the Cambodian laws.

"The time in fact had passed already to discuss about addressing the issue of the election irregularities," it said.

Ruling CPP's member Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, said Monday that according to the constitution, a new government would be formed by a 50 percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new parliament.

"The CPP has enough lawmakers to form a new government despite the opposition boycott," he told Xinhua.

According to the official schedule, Hun Sen, 61, who has been in power for 28 years, will be sworn in for another five-year term on Tuesday.