PHNOM PENH: The Cambodian government said yesterday it will not allow a "Miss Landmine" beauty pageant to take place later this week, calling it an insult to the disabled.

"The land mine beauty contest would make a mockery of Cambodia's land mine victims," said government spokesman Khieu Khanarith. "The government does not support this contest."

The Ministry of Social Affairs sent a letter to the pageant's organizers on Friday informing them of the ban and saying the contest would damage "the dignity and honor of our disabled".