Sam Rainsy, president of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), returned home on Saturday after spending more than a month overseas.

His return came after the Cambodian authorities have arrested at least eight CNRP politicians, including seven lawmakers-elect and one party member, for their leading role in a violent protest on Tuesday that left dozens of people injured, mostly security personnel.

Thousands of supporters greeted Sam Rainsy at Phnom Penh International Airport upon his arrival and followed his convoy to Wat Phnom historical site near the Freedom Park, where the violent protest occurred.

"I hope that there will be a political solution soon and I call for the release of all my colleagues without any conditions," Sam Rainsy addressed to the supporters on the street in front of the airport.

On Friday, Sam Rainsy said in a statement that he hoped his return would help defuse the worrying growing political tension, secure the release of all detainees allegedly linked to recent political violence.

He also hoped to re-start negotiations with the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) over the current political dispute in the spirit of national reconciliation.

The protest Tuesday aimed to demand the government to reopen the Freedom Park, a designated protest space that it has closed since January after violent clashes.

A Cambodian court has charged the eight detainees with leading insurrection and incitement that could carry a prison sentence of up to 30 years if convicted.

Political dispute between the ruling CPP of Prime Minister Hun Sen and the CNRP has persisted since July last year when the results of a general election showed that the CPP won 68 parliamentary seats against 55 seats for the CNRP.

The opposition has refused to accept the election outcome it says was marred by fraud, and it has boycotted parliament and held many demonstrations to demand an electoral reform and an early election. Endi

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