PHNOM PENH Cambodia's Constitutional Council has approved revised legislation required to put on trial the former leaders of the dreaded Khmer Rouge for crimes against humanity, AFP quoted officials as saying Tuesday.

"We will send this decision to the Parliament, the prime minister and the king," Constitutional Council President Bin Chhin said.

Council approval was critical given it had rejected similar legislation last January due to a legal technicality, despite the bill being passed by Parliament.

The revised legislation, which removes a reference to the death penalty, was passed almost unanimously by the National Assembly and the Senate in July.

Bin Chhin said that Article Three of the legislation which referred to the death penalty was now correct.

"After long and tough discussions we the constitutional council members have decided that Article Three of the law has conformed to the Constitution."

The legislation will be checked by the United Nations and an agreement is still to be reached on contributions for the trial from member countries.

Western diplomats said this was expected to be signed in a memorandum of understanding, possibly in September.