A grand ceremony was held in Phnom Penh on December 2 to mark the36th founding anniversary of the Solidarity Front for the Developmentof Cambodian Motherland (SFDCM).

Addressing the event, NationalAssembly Speaker President and Chairman of the SFDCM National CouncilHeng Samrin recalled the history of the front and its development overthe past 36 years.

The front, formerly known as the CambodianFront for National Salvation, was founded on December 2, 1978 in Snouldistrict, Kratie province, which borders Vietnam’s southern provinceof Binh Phuoc.

Under the leadership of the CambodianPeople’s Party, the front encourage people to form a great unity blocwhich was benefited from vast support from Vietnamese volunteer soldiersto win a victory against the Pol Pot genocidal regime on January 7,1979.

The victory was the beginning of a new life for Cambodian people and opened a new page in the country’s history, he noted.

Healso hailed the achievements the country has reaped in recent years,with an economic growth of 7.5 percent in 2013 and an estimated 7.6percent for this year.

On the occasion, President Heng Samrincalled on all Cambodian people to unite with the Royal Government touphold the national tradition and build a prosperous country.-VNA