Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has blamed last week's anti-Thai riots in the capital Phnom Penh on a "small group of extremists".

He said the riots - in which the Thai embassy and Thai-owned businesses were burned and looted, and one person killed - had been planned in advance in a bid to destabilise the country.

Angkor Wat is Cambodia's national symbol

The violence was triggered by rumours that a Thai actress had suggested the famous temple complex at Angkor Wat should be handed to Thailand - a charge the actress denies.

But Hun Sen said the riots were also caused by extremists spreading false messages that the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok had been attacked.

Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong is due to travel to Bangkok on Tuesday to start rebuilding diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Thailand downgraded links with its neighbour and suspended all economic co-operation and business dealings in response to the riots.

But relations appear to have improved after Cambodia expressed "most profound regret" and promised to pay compensation, estimated at more than $23m.

Accusations

Hun Sen said he was so distressed by the violence he had gone without food for over 24 hours as he worked to limit the damage.

The Cambodian leader has come under fire from both the Thai leadership and the head of the opposition party over his handling of the crisis.

On Saturday, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said his Cambodian counterpart was too slow in sending security forces to protect the embassy.

CAMBODIAN-THAI TENSIONS

Thais overran Khmer empire in 15th century Angkor Wat briefly held by Thai army at end of WW2 Border disputes continue Cambodians wary of Thailand's more powerful army Also resent Thai companies exploiting Cambodian natural resources

But Hun Sen said: "The government had to choose between two things - should we open fire at the protesters, leaving people to die on the streets, or should we not."

Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy accused Hun Sen of using the riots "to divert attention from increasingly serious internal problems" before elections in July.

He said Hun Sen's remarks about the Thai actress's alleged comments were "an incitement to racism, hatred and violence".

The prime minister described her as no more important than a blade of grass at Angkor Wat.

But Hun Sen said he made the comments to ensure that "the remarks of a person remain an individual matter, not a matter between one nation and another."

Sam Rainsy tried to visit Thailand on Saturday to hold a press conference, but was denied entry "for his own safety," according to officials in Bangkok.

More than 50 people have already been arrested in connection with Wednesday's violence, including two journalists who have been charged with inciting violence by spreading false information.

Many of the others have been charged with looting.