The US on Wednesday imposed an arms embargo on Cambodia, citing deepening Chinese military influence, corruption and human rights abuses by the government and armed forces in the Southeast Asian country.

A pre-publication notice in the Federal Register said developments in Cambodia were "contrary to US national security and foreign policy interests."

The aim of the embargo is to ensure that defense-related items are not available to Cambodia's military and military intelligence services without advance review by the US government, it said.

The added restrictions on defence related goods and services, issued by the State and Commerce departments, are due to take effect Thursday.

The imposition came just days before sending a top State Department official to convince the Southeast Asian country to keep up pressure on Myanmar’s military regime.

However, this is not the first time. Earlier following a 1997 coup in which Hun Sen grabbed full power after ousting his co-premier Prince Norodom Ranariddh, the US halted military assistance to Cambodia.

But in August 2005, President George W Bush waved the ban, citing Phnom Penh's agreement to exempt Americans in Cambodia from prosecution by the Netherlands-based International Criminal Court. From 2006, the US has pledged millions in military aid to Cambodia.

Image Credit: Reuters