Phnom Penh  - Cambodia was set to lift a ban on marriages to foreigners, Interior Minister Sar Kheng said Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference on human trafficking, Sar Kheng said senior officials would meet Friday and a lifting of the ban is expected soon after.

Cambodia banned marriages of Cambodians to non-Khmers in April after allegations that often undereducated and poor Cambodians - especially women - were being exploited or trafficked under the guise of legitimate legal unions.

"Tomorrow we meet to see the new sub-decree but we cannot hold this decision longer as it contradicts the Cambodian constitution and the rights of Cambodian people," Sar Kheng said.

He said Cambodia was co-operating with the United States in a quest to find an adequate solution. (dpa)