King Norodom Sihamoni ignited the victory light inside the Independence Monument on Thursday to mark the 53rd Independence Day of the kingdom in the presence of some 20,000 audience.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, National Assembly President Heng Samrin, Senate President Chea Sim, other senior government officials and hundreds of school children also attended the ceremony to celebrate the anniversary of Cambodia's independence from France's colonial rule.

The king and the prime minister met the diplomats standing around the monument, before the process started with a salute to the national flag raised right before the deep red tower.

After the light was set on within the monument, the king and the top leaders went out to release pigeons, with the crowd around chanting national anthem.

At the end of the process, the king went to the audience waiting on the streets around the monument to express his appreciation for their support.

Later, Chea Sokhom, Head of Protocol of National and International Ceremony Organizing Committee told Xinhua by phone that the victory light within the monument presented the soul of the compatriots who sacrificed their lives for the nation and it reminded the people of retired King Norodom Sihanouk who led the country to win independence from France.

"This year we do not celebrate with a big event for the Independence Day, because our government has decided already to prepare big event once for 5 years or 10 years only," he said.

Under the leadership of former King Norodom Sihanouk, Cambodia won independence from France on Nov. 9, 1953. Sihanouk was therefore named as Father of the Nation. Current king Sihamoni is son of Sihanouk.

Source: Xinhua