Overjoyed Cambodians danced in the streets on hearing news that the UN cultural agency had granted World Heritage status for an ancient Hindu temple disputed between Cambodia and Thailand.
Despite a long-standing territorial dispute over land around the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, the 21-nation World Heritage Committee approved Cambodia’s application to register the site at a UNESCO meeting in Quebec City.
"This is another new pride for Cambodia and our people as well as for the people in the region and the world as a whole," Prime Minister Hun Sen said in a statement read out by an announcer on television.
Viewers held Cambodian flags as they listened to the premier’s morning statement. Pagodas across the capital sounded their gongs as people rushed to markets and government offices to celebrate the listing.
Upon hearing of the ruling, many also rushed into the capital’s streets to sing, dance and wave flags as they marched around the Central Market.
"Hurray, Preah Vihear Temple, the World Heritage site!" yelled one celebrator from a megaphone to cheers of the crowd.
Mom, a 20-year-old vendor, joined the crowds singing, dancing to drum music and waving flags as they marched around the Central Market.
"I was told by other sellers (about the UNESCO ruling) and I want to be here to celebrate the success," she said.
More than 200 students and professors waved flags and sang the national anthem in front of the University of Health and Sciences, where students cut out of classes and jammed up traffic as motorists slowed and honked their horns in salute.
"I came out here (from class) and everybody did. We are so happy," said Veasna, 23, a fifth-year student at the university.
Tuy Chamroan, deputy dean at the university, said he supported the students leaving class for the street celebration.
"As a Cambodian, I feel very proud and exalted about the news because we’ve been waiting for some 30 years," he said.
Despite the celebrations here, the listing has caused tensions in both Cambodia and Thailand.
Cambodia last week deployed riot police to protect the Thai embassy for fear that a border dispute over the temple could spark violent protests.
In Thailand, the World Heritage status has sparked a political and legal battle that could lead to impeachment hearings for the cabinet.
In 1962 World Court ruled that the Hindu temple belongs to Cambodia, although the main entrance lies at the foot of a mountain in Thailand. The exact boundary through the surrounding area has caused years of disputes.