Cambodian ruling party chief Chea Sim dies of illness

PHNOM PENH -- Chea Sim, president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and president of the Senate, died of illness on Monday afternoon at the age of 83, a CPP spokesman confirmed.

"He died at 3:45 p.m. on Monday due to his illness," CPP's spokesman Chhim Phalvarun told Xinhua over telephone. "He was one of the top and revered leaders. His passing-away is a great loss for the nation and the Cambodian people."

Chea Sim had suffered from diabetes and other illnesses for years before his death.

According to an obituary, Chea Sim's body is being placed at his home in Phnom Penh's Chamkarmon district.

Cambodian Prime Minister and CPP's vice president Hun Sen said on April 29 that when Chea Sim passed away, he would become the president of the CPP and Say Chhum, CPP's secretary general, would become the president of the Senate.