Cambodia's King Sihanouk: still very popular

ASEAN Ministers Duck Decisions

At the end of the meeting of the Association of South-East Asian Nations in Singapore, the ministers refrained from endorsing the country's newly-appointed first Prime Minister, Ung Huot.

Recognition was not an issue, according to a statement issued after the talks - because ASEAN members recognise states, not governments.

ASEAN's priority remains the restoration of stability to Cambodia, following the violent ousting of the first Prime Minister, Prince Ranariddh, by his co-premier, Hun Sen, just over five weeks ago.

To that end, ASEAN's mediation efforts will continue, but the objective now is not the restoration of the Prince in office but rather the conduct of free and fair elections next year.

The BBC's correspondent at the talks says the crucial questions were side-stepped. Cambodia's membership of ASEAN, postponed after the recent fighting, remains on hold.

ASEAN's indecision could change after a meeting in Beijing on Tuesday, of Hun Sen and Ung Huot, with the ailing King Sihanouk. The delegation from Phnom Penh is seeking the monarch's seal of approval, but Sihanouk's unhappiness with the situation in his country is well known, culminating in an apparent warning that he is considering abdication.