PHNOM PENH (Cambodia Herald) - The Norodom Ranariddh Party held a congress Friday to change its name to the Nationalist Party and appoint acting president Sao Rany as president of the renamed party.

During the congress attended by 450 people, Sao Rany said all members would join Funcinpec in next year's general election. The Nationalist Party will be retained for seats won in commune elections earlier this year.

Sao Rany also said that Prince Norodom Ranariddh's face would be removed from the party logo and replaced by an image of the Independence Monument.

The congress on Friday was also attended by Funcinpec advisor Keo Puthraksmey and deputy secretary Tep Nonry.

Ranariddh, who announced his retirement from politics earlier this month, was ousted from Funcinpec in 2006 after he sold the party's headquarters.