Cambodian PM says he was meeting with king amid rumors of his severe illness

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Tuesday that he was meeting with King Norodom Sihamoni and then playing golf as rumors that he suffered a severe stroke had been spread on social media.

"On Friday afternoon, I, along with cabinet members, was having a meeting with King Norodom Sihamoni, and then I played golf on Saturday and Sunday," the prime minister said during a visit to people with disabilities living in Southwestern Kampot province.

Hun Sen's remarks came after rumors across social media on Sunday that he had a massive stroke on Friday afternoon and had been rushed to Calmette Hospital before being sent to Singapore for medical treatment.

"Don't expect to see Hun Sen's death, it is not easy," he said.

Meanwhile, Hun Sen warned that if he really passed away, opposition leaders might not survive because no one could control the armed forces.

"I'm the only person who can order all types of armed forces," the prime minister said. "If I really die, you must pack your bags and run away or you may die of any incidents because no one can control the armed forces."

Hun Sen said his presence was very important to stabilize the current situation in Cambodia.

Cambodia remains trapped in political row after the election results in July last year showed that Hun Sen's party won 68 parliamentary seats and the opposition, led by Sam Rainsy, got the remaining 55 seats.

The opposition has refused to accept the election outcome it says was marred by fraud, and it has boycotted parliament to demand an early election.

Hun Sen and Sam Rainsy had met three times in an attempt to resolve the dispute, but their talks produced no fruitful results. Their last contact was a telephone conversation in April.