Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has announced that he will step down in the coming weeks. He said his eldest son, Hun Manet, will be his successor.

The long-serving leader broke the news during a televised address on Wednesday. He said the succession will take place, after the official results from Sunday's general election have been announced. He also said he will remain as the leader of the ruling Cambodian People's Party. Hun Sen has been in power for almost 40 years.

The announcement came three days after his party reportedly scooped up 120 of the 125 National Assembly seats in the general election.

But the main opposition party was banned from running in the poll. That has prompted criticism from countries around the world.

Hun Manet was educated in the West. He has risen through the ranks of Cambodia's military. Hun Sen said in 2021 that he wanted his son to eventually succeed him. Hun Manet was commander of the army at that time.