Cambodia's nearly one year political deadlock was over with the final formation on Thursday of a new government headed by Prime Minister Hun Sen. The country had been plunged into a long political stalemate since the third National Assembly elections held on July 27, 2003.

Following is a chronology of key development since the last July's elections.

July 27, 2003: Cambodia's more than 6.3 million eligible voterscast ballots to elect a new National Assembly.

Aug. 8: According to the official preliminary election results announced by the National Election Committee (NEC), the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) has won the majority of votes with 47.35 percent, followed by the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) with 21.87 percent, narrowly ahead of FUNCINPEC's 20.75 percent.

But FUNCINPEC and the SRP refused to accept the election results in a joint statement, claiming it was not fair and free.

Aug. 23: FUNCINPEC and the SRP forged an Alliance of Democrats to reject the election results and vow to form a tripartite government. FUNCINPEC President Prince Norodom Ranariddh was appointed as Alliance's president.

Aug. 30: According to the official final election results, the CPP won 73 seats out of the 123 Assembly seats, while FUNCINPEC got 26 seats and the SRP 24, based on proportional representation.

Sept. 27: The first session of Cambodia's newly-formed NationalAssembly opened with the CPP as the only party present at the opening ceremony.

Oct. 4: All 123 newly elected lawmakers from three major political parties were sworn in at the Royal Palace. A banquet wasoffered by King Norodom Sihanouk to entertain the lawmakers after the swearing-in ceremony.

Oct. 19: Three-party talks trying to solve the political deadlock was canceled by FUNCINPEC and the SRP after the killing of a pro-FUNCINPEC radio reporter.

Nov. 5: The three parties held their first talks chaired by King Norodom Sihanouk, and agreed in principle to the guidelines outlined by the king to form a tripartite government with Hun Sen as the next prime minister.

Nov. 28: Three parties held two-hour talks at the Royal Palace but made no breakthrough on forming a new government.

Dec. 15: 118 parliamentarians of the total 123 elected lawmakers attended their first meeting which was purely ceremonial,only serving to proclaim the legitimacy of the newly elected lawmakers.

Source: Xinhua