The king of Cambodia has used 50th anniversary celebrations of the country's independence from France to call on its ruling parties to work together. King Norodom Sihanouk brokered an agreement between the three main parties to form a coalition government last week - following July's inconclusive elections. He urged legislators to take their seats in the National Assembly "without delay" and get on with the business of government. Thousands of people lined the streets of the capital Phnom Penh to watch the independence celebrations, which coincided with an annual water festival. The 81-year-old king, with his wife Queen Monineath, began the day's festivities by driving to the Independence Monument to light a candle. He was later joined by leading politicians, members of the royal family and foreign ambassadors for a civilian parade. King Sihanouk was on the throne when the country won its freedom from the French on 9 November 1953, after 90 years of colonial rule.
No comments:
Post a Comment