US slams Cambodia's Hun Sen over "provocative", "bellicose" rhetoric.

(From Agence France Presse)

The United States hit out at "bellicose" and "provocative" rhetoric by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, after he warned opposition parties not to block his path to power following last weekend's elections.

The State Department fired a new shot across the outspoken leader's bows, in its latest strongly worded critique of what it says is a climate of "impunity" in Cambodia.

"We're deeply concerned by some of the rhetoric that is threatening and provocative in nature," said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher.

"It's premature to endorse results that might have been forecast and published by political parties," he said, after Hun Sen hardened his rhetoric on the post-election situation based on poll results issued by his own supporters.

"Any intimations about the potential use of force should be avoided."

The statement did not mention Hun Sen by name, but in his daily press briefing Boucher was pressed by reporters and referred to "the prime minister's bellicose statements."