Phnom Penh, Aug 8: Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni appointed Hun Manet as the new Prime Minister on Monday after the latter’s father and outgoing premier Hun Sen announced to step down after serving in the post for more than 38 years. The monarch signed a royal decree to designate Hun Manet, 45, as the new prime minister for a five-year term following a request from Hun Sen, the longest serving Prime Minister in the world, reports Xinhua news agency. “The designated prime minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia has duties to prepare the members of the government in order to ask for the adoption of confidence from the National Assembly,” Sihamoni said in the royal decree. “This royal decree takes effect from the day of signature,” he added. Hun Manet, the eldest son of Hun Sen, thanked the king for appointing him as the new prime minister. “This is the greatest honor in my life, receiving a great opportunity to serve my most-loved motherland and people in this noble position,” he said in a thank-you letter to the king. “I, along with all dignitaries in the royal government of the seventh legislature of the National Assembly, are committed to fulfilling this noble national mission with heroism, honesty and high responsibility to serve the motherland and the people of Cambodia,” he added. Hun Manet vowed to continue ensuring the protection of national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the throne and the constitutional monarchy.Phnom Penh, Aug 8: Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni appointed Hun Manet as the new Prime Minister on Monday after the latter’s father and outgoing premier Hun Sen announced to step down after serving in the post for more than 38 years. The monarch signed a royal decree to designate Hun Manet, 45, as the new prime minister for a five-year term following a request from Hun Sen, the longest serving Prime Minister in the world, reports Xinhua news agency. “The designated prime minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia has duties to prepare the members of the government in order to ask for the adoption of confidence from the National Assembly,” Sihamoni said in the royal decree. “This royal decree takes effect from the day of signature,” he added. Hun Manet, the eldest son of Hun Sen, thanked the king for appointing him as the new prime minister. “This is the greatest honor in my life, receiving a great opportunity to serve my most-loved motherland and people in this noble position,” he said in a thank-you letter to the king. “I, along with all dignitaries in the royal government of the seventh legislature of the National Assembly, are committed to fulfilling this noble national mission with heroism, honesty and high responsibility to serve the motherland and the people of Cambodia,” he added. Hun Manet vowed to continue ensuring the protection of national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the throne and the constitutional monarchy.