Ministry of Interior sent a recognition letter to the newly formed Norodom Ranariddh Party on Tuesday, thus legitimizing its existence in the kingdom, sources said in Phnom Penh on Wednesday.

The party now has legal rights to conduct full political activities after being certified by the ministry, said Khieu Sopheak, spokesman of the ministry.

Party president Ranariddh's advisor Ok Socheat also confirmed that the party received legal recognition from the government.

It is now making preparations for participating in the local elections in April 2007 and the general election in 2008, he said.

The party was formed on Nov. 16 on the basis of the Khmer Front Party, which used to be a minor opposition.

Ranariddh insisted that he could rally the grassroots under the new banner, as he was a familiar figure to them.

The prince made up his mind to form a new party upon his removal as president of the co-ruling Funcinpec Party on Oct. 18.

Party members voted him out for he stayed overseas too long to neglect party matters and being unable to cooperate with Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Source: Xinhua