国际英语新闻:Cambodia's elite Brigade 70 marks 25th founding anniversary

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Brigade 70, an elite Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) unit, marked its 25th founding anniversary on Monday, vowing to maintain the kingdom's peace, stability and development.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Tea Banh and RCAF's Commander-in-Chief Gen. Vong Pisen presided over the ceremony, during which more than 1,000 troops were on parade, showing military trucks, weapons, armored vehicles, and tanks, among others.

Military attaches of foreign embassies to Cambodia were also invited to the event, which was held at the headquarters of the Brigade 70 on the southwestern outskirts of Phnom Penh.

Addressing the event, Gen. Banh praised the armed forces for their great sacrifices for the cause of the nation, religion and king in all phases.

"The RCAF, especially the Brigade 70, is the core fore not only in defending sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also in contributing to socio-economic development," he said.

Lieutenant General Mao Sophann, commander of the Brigade 70, said over the past 25 years, the Brigade has fulfilled countless achievements in defending the country's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and interest.

"In all circumstances, the Brigade 70 is always loyal to the nation, religion and king, and is committed to protecting the constitution, the king, and the legitimate government," he said.

He added that the Brigade will smash any hostile forces that attempt to destroy the country's peace, stability and development and totally oppose foreign interference in the kingdom's internal affairs.