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Tens of thousands of jubilant supporters welcomed Cambodia's newly pardoned opposition leader home from exile yesterday as his party fights to end Prime Minister Hun Sen's nearly three decades in power.
Huge crowds gathered outside Phnom Penh's airport and lined the road to the city centre to welcome Sam Rainsy, waving flags and shouting "change, change!"

The French-educated former banker fled in 2009 to avoid charges he contends were politically motivated.
Rainsy, 64, kissed the ground at the airport upon returning from France before boarding a truck with his political allies, raising his fist as he greeted a sea of supporters.
"I'm very happy. I came back to rescue the nation with you all," he said before heading in a convoy for Democracy Park, which was packed with people waiting for him to speak.
Rainsy had faced 11 years in jail but was pardoned by King Sihamoni last week at Hun Sen's request, clearing the way for his return ahead of July 28 elections.

	I'm very happy and excited to see the leader of democracy returning to the country

	Sok Kan, 64
"I'm very happy and excited to see the leader of democracy returning to the country," said Sok Kan, 64, who was among those waiting to greet him.
"He is far different from the current leader. He sacrifices everything for the nation," Kuch Narith, 26, said.
US lawmakers have called for the United States to cut off aid to Cambodia unless this month's polls are free and fair.
Sen is one of Southeast Asia's longest-serving leaders. His Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won the last two polls by a landslide amid allegations of fraud and election irregularities.
In May Sen, a former Khmer Rouge cadre who defected from the murderous 1970s regime and became premier in 1985, said he would try to stay in power for another decade.
Rainsy said before his return that the pardon was "a small victory for democracy" but also warned that "much more remains to be done".
The opposition leader, who is seen as the main challenger to strongman Sen, has been removed from the electoral register and as a result is unable to run as a candidate this month unless parliament amends the law.
But he plans to hit the campaign trail soon to try to boost support for his Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

"His presence will galvanise activists and voters," said CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann, who added that the party would discuss possible ways to register Rainsy as a candidate.
The UN's special rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia, Surya Subedi, on Monday urged Cambodia to let Rainsy play a "full part" in politics.
Rainsy left his homeland and moved to Paris aged 16 after the disappearance of his father, a politician believed to have been killed by government agents after a failed coup attempt.
After graduating from France's Insead Business School, he worked for various banks in Paris before setting up his own accountancy firm. He returned to Cambodia in 1992 and briefly held the post of finance minister.
Rainsy fled in 2005 after Sen pressed defamation charges against him but received a royal pardon the following year and returned to the kingdom.
He left Cambodia once again in 2009 and was convicted in his absence for charges including inciting racial discrimination and spreading disinformation.
Experts say Rainsy is popular among many workers thanks to his background as a labour activist dating back to the mid-1990s.
Yet while voters - especially those from poor, rural areas - may admire Rainsy, they find it hard to identify with him given his privileged background, said independent political analyst Chea Vannath.


Cambodian opposition leader Rainsy makes jubilant return from exile

Sam Rainsy waves to wellwishers in Phnom Penh

Supporters of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) shout slogans during the general election campaign in Phnom Penh. Photo: AFP

Sam Rainsy. Photo: AP

Cheering crowds of supporters rally to welcome Sam Rainsy, President of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), outside the Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh. Photo: Xinhua

Exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy to return for Cambodia poll

Supporters of Sam Rainsy's party shout slogans as they watch him during a videoconference in Kandal province, Cambodia. Photo: AFP

Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy pardoned ahead of vote

Cambodia’s opposition leader in exile Sam Rainsy won a royal pardon on Friday. Photo: AP 

Exiled Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy vows to return for polls

Sam Rainsy

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Asia

Exiled opposition leader greeted by huge crowds of supporters lining roads into capital


Tens of thousands of jubilant supporters welcomed Cambodia's newly pardoned opposition leader home from exile yesterday as his party fights to end Prime Minister Hun Sen's nearly three decades in power.


Cambodian opposition leader Rainsy makes jubilant return from exile

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Exiled opposition leader greeted by huge crowds of supporters lining roads into capital

Exiled opposition leader greeted by huge crowds of supporters lining roads into capital