Cambodia prepare to welcome body of Norodom Sihanouk

Phnom Penh: Cambodians are preparing to welcome home the body of their former King Norodom Sihanouk, whose turbulent life mirrored the tragedies of their small Southeast Asia nation. City workers cleaned the streets on Tuesday around the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, where Sihanouk’s body will lay in state during a week of official mourning. It will remain there for three months during which the public can pay respects. It will then be cremated according to Buddhist ritual. [caption id=“attachment_492462” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Norodom Sihanouk. AP[/caption] Sihanouk died Monday at age 89 in Beijing, where he had been receiving medical treatment since January for multiple ailments. His body is due to arrive in Cambodia on Wednesday afternoon. Officials say they expect at least 100,000 people to line the route from the airport to the palace to pay their respects. AP