Lon Nol, << lahn nohl >> (1913-1985), headed the government of Cambodia from 1970 to 1975. He and other Cambodian leaders overthrew Prince Norodom Sihanouk because they opposed his friendly policy toward Communists in Vietnam. Lon Nol declared Cambodia a republic and soon began to rule as a dictator. He suffered a stroke in 1971 and gave up many duties. But in 1972, he set up a new government with himself as president.
In the early 1970’s, Cambodia became directly involved in the Vietnam War. The republic’s army fought Communist rebels called the Khmer Rouge. Lon Nol fled to the United States in 1975, shortly before the rebels took control of the government. See Cambodia (History).
Lon Nol was born on Nov. 13, 1913, in Prey Veng Province in Cambodia when the country was a French colony. He joined the army in 1952, and Cambodia gained independence the next year. Lon Nol became a lieutenant general in 1961. He served as minister of defense from 1955 to 1966. He was prime minister from 1966 to 1967 and from 1969 to 1972. He died on Nov. 17, 1985.
