Cambodia marks 61st anniversary of independence from French rule

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia marked the 61st anniversary of the declaration of the Independence Day from French protectorate on Sunday.

At an event held at the Independence Monument, King Norodom Sihamoni, accompanied by National Assembly's President Heng Samrin, Defense Minister Gen. Tea Banh, and other senior officials, laid a wreath and lit the victory torch inside the Independence Monument.

The victory flame will be kept burning for three days.

The celebration, which was live broadcast on the state-run National Television of Cambodia, was attended by some 10,000 people, including senior officials, diplomats, members of the armed forces, civil servants and students.

Doves and balloons were released into the sky as a sign of independence and freedom.

There will also be fireworks displays over Tonle Sap River in front of the Royal Palace at Sunday night to mark the occasion.

The Southeast Asian nation gained full independence from the French protectorate on Nov. 9, 1953 after the late Cambodian King Father Norodom Sihanouk had conducted a royal crusade in 1952.

France had ruled Cambodia for 90 years from 1863 till 1953.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/xinhua-news-agency/141108/cambodia-marks-61st-anniversary-independence-french-rule