PHNOM PENH, Oct 9: Negotiations to form Cambodia's next government stalled again Friday, and support grew for’ King Norodom Sihanouk to chair a second summit of party leaders, reports AP.

Cambodian leader Hun Sen's party, a narrow winner in the July 26 elections, publicised its wish Thursday for negotiations to proceed at the highest level, calling on senior opposition : party leader Prince Norodom ! Ranariddh to return from Thai-। land.

The proposal was formally presented in Friday's "working i group" session as Hun Sen's ' Cambodian People’s Party and the two-party opposition again failed to find any common I ground. Hun Sen's party needs 1 outside cooperation since it did ! not win the two-thirds of par-I liamentary seats needed to form the government alone.

An opposition negotiator said the summit proposal would have to be approved by Ra-। nariddh — who has stayed in Bangkok since parliament's | ceremonial opening on Sept 24 — but it would be difficult to ■ turn down if the king agreed to I help break the deadlock.

"Of course if the king wishes to call us. we will participate." said Prince Sisowath Sirirath, a senior official in Ranariddh's FUNCINPEC party.

Three working group sessions since the election have yielded no substantial progress.

The ruling party is eager to see a new administration installed so the government can regain the legitimacy it lost when Hun Sen ousted Ranariddh as co-prime minister in a violent coup last year.

But the opposition claims that Hun Sen's electoral victory was achieved through fraud and Intimidation. The two parties insist that their allegations must be thoroughly investigated before parliament holds its first official meeting.

Ruling party negotiator Sok An complained Friday that the opposition, especially the party led by former Finance Minister Sam Rainsy, has increased its demands at each working group session rather than attempting to reach a compromise.

They did not respect the spirit of the negotiations so we will go back to the summit," Sok An said.

The king presided at a summit last month at his Siem Reap residence, attended by Hun Sen. Ranariddh and Sam Rainsy. that led to the convening of parliament.

At Hun Sen’s reouest, Sihanouk since has delayed a planned trip to Beijing for medical treatment. He arrived in Phnom Penh on Monday.

Hun Sen's side has pushed for parliament to hold its first official session so it can elect its officers.

FUNCINPEC. which holds the interim position of parliamentary dean because it has the oldest member of the new parliament. has argued that it should not open until a comprehensive deal is reached.

A major stumbling block is the parliament's presidency, which is coveted by both Hun Sen's party and FUNCINPEC.

The president of parliament controls legislative sessions and becomes acting head of state when the king is outside the country.