PHNOM PENH: The Kingdom of Cambodia is commemorating the 43rd anniversary of the Kampuchea United Front for National Salvation. It is also simply referred as Salvation Front. It has been 43 years since Cambodian people were liberated from the Khmer Rouge regime, later establishing the People’s Republic of Kampuchea.

Kampuchea United Front for National Salvation was formed on the 2nd of December 1978. Its foundation took place in Kratie province near the border with Vietnam at a meeting of seventy dissident Cambodians determined to overthrow Pol Pot’s regime.

At that time, Heng Samrin who is now Cambodia’s National Assembly president was voted as a leader of the front. Within few weeks of determination and coordination with its members, the groups influence spread widely on both sides of the border. It led to the defeat of the Khmer Rouge’s Democratic Kampuchea.

Cambodia was then called ‘People’s Republic of Kampuchea’.

National Assembly President Heng Samrin has written a special message on Thursday. He has reminded people that the "United Front for National Salvation of Cambodia", which was later renamed "United Front for the Development of Motherland Cambodia" was formed by great unity of the people, both inside and outside the country. He has stated that the courageous people involved in liberating the people with him were the late Senate President Chea Sim and Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The National Assembly president has also acknowledged the other patriotic heroes in organizing forces to overthrow the genocidal regime of Pol Pot. He says people have stood together as a force for national unity and with the great support of neighboring countries around the world.

Cambodia achieved the great victory on the 8th of January 1979, a month after the Kampuchea United Front for National Salvation was formed.