Cambodian former King Norodom Sihanouk dies

PHNOM PENH - Cambodian retired King Norodom Sihanouk died of natural cause at the age of 90 in China's capital city of Beijing, where he had his diseases treated by Chinese doctors, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Nhik Bun Chhay confirmed on Monday.

Former Indonesian President Suharto (L) talks with then Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk (R) at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta in this June 3, 1991 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

"Our former King died at 2:00 am early Monday in Beijing due to natural cause," he told Xinhua over telephone. "This is a great loss for Cambodia. We feel very sad. The former king was a great king that we all respect and love him."

He said that King Norodom Sihamoni will fly to Beijing Monday morning to receive Norodom Sihanouk's body to Cambodia for a traditional funeral.

Sihanouk was born on October 31, 1922. He suffered from various forms of cancer, diabetes and hypertension and had been treated by Chinese doctors in Beijing for years.