About 1,000 protesters were dispersed by police in clashes near the United States embassy and nearby residence of opposition leader Prince Norodom Ranariddh. Some regrouped later in smaller clusters around the city until police would arrive to scatter them again.

Human-rights workers, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported a Buddhist monk was killed by gunfire. The death could not be confirmed. At least one and possibly two more were wounded.

Prince Ranariddh told supporters of his Funcinpec Party that Hun Sen sparked a ``real revolution'' by sending police today with clubs, bamboo canes and shock prods to destroy a protest camp at the National Assembly, smashing a 16-day vigil against his rule.

An angry Ranariddh and opposition ally Sam Rainsy applied for legal permission to hold a peaceful mass rally on Sunday.

``It is in the interests of this government to authorise a peaceful demonstration, rather than letting what is happening now to continue,'' the prince said. ``It's now time for Mr Hun Sen to stop using violence.''

Such rallies have drawn as many as 20,000 people. One now, legal or not, could provoke more violence as Hun Sen moves to reassert the power he has held for 13 years.

The violence is the worst since Hun Sen deposed Ranariddh as co-prime minister in a bloody coup a year ago.

Hun Sen drew a tougher line following a grenade attack on Monday against his home. He was not present and no one was hurt. Hun Sen has denied opposition allegations that he staged the attack as a pretext.

Sam Rainsy sought refuge in the local UN offices at the luxurious Cambodiana hotel after Hun Sen ordered his arrest. The order has been rescinded, but his supporters doubt Hun Sen's intentions.

The prince said the violence was deepening, not resolving, the deadlock resulting from July 26 parliamentary elections that Hun Sen's party won, but failed to gain the two-thirds majority needed to form a government.

The opposition accuses Hun Sen of massive electoral fraud and has threatened to withhold support, raising the prospect of Cambodia soon having no legal government.