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Phnom Penh - Cambodia's former king Norodom Sihanouk returned home Friday after spending nearly a year abroad to seek medical treatment and escape political tensions in the tiny kingdom.

 The cancer-stricken 83-year-old, who left for Beijing last August to undergo treatment, appeared healthy as he waved to some 200 onlookers after walking off his airplane.

 His wife, former queen Monineath, followed him into the crowd with their son, King Norodom Sihamoni, who greeted them at the airplane door.

 Sihanouk had told aides he wanted a low-key homecoming, without the presence of government officials or media.

 But the former king was greeted by top government officials, including Prime Minister Hun Sen. Leaders from Cambodia's three main political parties, as well as foreign diplomats, were also present.

 In March, Sihanouk said political tensions at home made it unsafe for him to return after several dissenters were jailed for defamation for their criticism of a border agreement with Vietnam.

 The former king is also a vocal opponent of the controversial pact that Hun Sen signed in October, saying it cedes too much territory to Cambodia's former political patron.

 Sihanouk abdicated the throne in October 2004 in favour of his son, citing old age and health problems.

 Despite giving up his role as monarch, he remains a powerful figure in Cambodia, frequently wading into the political fray with critical communiques.

 But he said earlier this week that he was withdrawing from public life and would not grant any more audiences.

 "I may not make any exception," the wildly popular ex-monarch said in a statement posted on his website from Beijing, in which he apologised to his people and asked for their understanding.

 "Otherwise I would face complaints from everywhere that I would hardly overcome."

Agence France Presse