TENS of thousands of jubilant supporters have welcomed Cambodia's newly pardoned opposition leader home from exile 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 on Friday 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 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.
The 64-year-old 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 elections on July 28.
"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, told AFP.
US lawmakers have called for the United States to cut off aid to Cambodia unless this month's polls are free and fair.
Hun Sen is one of South-East 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 Hun 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 told AFP 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 Hun 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).
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