Call me Lord Prime Minister: Cambodia wants PM title used

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - For years, some Cambodian media have referred to the country's longtime leader simply as Prime Minister Hun Sen. Authorities are now warning that has to stop.

The Information Ministry said Thursday that starting in August, all media must use his full honorary title -"Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen" - in the opening lines of print articles, radio and TV stories about the leader.

Hun Sen's 6-word official title translates roughly to "Lord Prime Minister and Supreme Military Commander."

The rule also applies to several ruling party officials and first lady Bun Rany, who also have formal honorary titles.

The new rule appeared aimed specifically at media viewed by the government as pro-opposition and pro-Western. Pro-government media generally highlight Hun Sen's formal title.