Former Khmer Rouge leader Ta Mok reported dead

Cambodia's former Khmer Rouge leader, Ta Mok, has reportedly died at the age of 80.

His lawyer told the AFP news agency that Ta Mok passed away on Thursday, adding that he had slipped into unconsciousness before he died.

Ta Mok was expected to be a key defendant in a trial of top officials from the 1975-79 Khmer Rouge regime, which oversaw the deaths of up to two million people.

Ta Mok, a military commander, became the communist regime's last leader before the movement disintegrated.

He was one of only two former top rebel leaders awaiting prosecution for their roles in one of the worst genocides of the 20th century.

Ta Mok was taken to Phnom Penh military hospital in June with breathing problems and had reportedly been in and out of a coma.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA