The National Assembly of Cambodia on Tuesday canceled Prince Norodom Ranariddh's membership, because the seat belongs to the co-ruling Funcinpec Party which he no longer headed since October.

Assembly President Heng Samrin announced that the prince lost his membership following his removal from Funcinpec.

The action was based on a request from Funcinpec and the recent recognition by the Interior Ministry of the prince's new party, he added.

Female Funcinpec member Math Salima was named to fill the party 's seat left by the prince.

Ranariddh was removed as Funcinpec President on Oct. 18, for he stayed overseas too long to neglect party affairs and could not get along well with Prime Minister Hun Sen.

On Dec. 16, he then turned to head a minor opposition party, which had no seats in the parliament, to prepare for the upcoming regional and general elections.

The National Assembly is dominated by the major ruling Cambodian People's Party, whose Vice President is Hun Sen and Honorary President Heng Samrin.

Source: Xinhua