PM Hun Sen said CPP lawmakers would likely abstain in the vote to replace You Hokry,

Funcinpec's co-Minister of Interior. Hokry was forced by party members to announce

he would "step down" from his post May 23 after a battle to oust him led

by former resistance fighters who accused him of nepotism and corruption. The reason,

the PM said, was to avoid interference in the coalition partner's internal affairs.

One observer said it could be a ploy to keep Funcinpec in disarray as long as possible

before next year's election.