Phnom Penh - Hundreds of Australians, New Zealanders and Cambodians gathered near the capital's most important Buddhist sites Friday to commemorate Anzac Day.

The ceremony near downtown Phnom Penh's Wat Phnom commemorated the day Anzac forces landed on the beaches of Turkey for the start of the Gallipoli campaign 93 years ago.

Held under tight security due to fears of possible terrorist attacks, the Anzac service here is seen as a poignant one by expatriates because of Cambodia's own recent history of war.

Australia played a leading role in ending Cambodia's 30-year civil war with its negotiations to bring warring factions and international mediators to the table for talks in 1988 and 1989.

The dawn service was organized by the Australian embassy and around 250 people attended, according to those present. Australia is home to tens of thousands of Cambodian migrants and former refugees. (dpa)