Cambodian opposition party holds 1st congress with 5,000 participants

PHNOM PENH, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) held its first national congress on Sunday with the participation of about 5,000 party members and activists.

The congress, held at a public park, just south of the Royal Palace, aimed to review the achievements in the past year and brief party supporters on the latest political development in the country.

Addressing the gathering, CNRP's President Sam Rainsy told the participants of an agreement the CNRP signed with the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday in order to end the CNRP's 10-months long boycott of parliament over disputed election results.

Under the deal, the CPP agreed with CNRP's proposals for an overhaul of the National Election Committee (NEC), power sharing in the parliament and a TV license.

"The reform of the NEC is very important to ensure free and fair elections in the future," he said. "It is also a historical milestone that the opposition will own a TV station."

The CNRP's 55 lawmakers-elect will soon be sworn in at the parliament, where they will join the CPP's 68 lawmakers to amend the Constitution to ensure the autonomy of a new NEC.