France celebrates Bastille Day with wide participation from world leaders

PARIS, July 14 (KUNA) -- France celebrated its national holiday (Bastille Day) on Monday with a military parade on the Champs-Elysees, with a wide participation from the French Armed Forces and representatives from several friendly countries.
The military parade began at the Arc de Triomphe, the first avenue on the Champs-Elysees, and proceeded to the main stage at the Place de la Concorde.
French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, and French officials were present, along with his guests, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
This year's military parade featured more than 7,000 personnel, with 5,600 on foot, along with 100 aircraft, 250 motorized vehicles, and 200 horses from the Republican Guard.
The parade also saw a distinguished participation from Indonesia, which attended with a military delegation of more than 400 personnel, as part of strengthening defense cooperation between the two countries.
The French Presidential Palace (Elysee) said in a statement that this year's parade coincides with the centenary of the founding of the Bleuettes de France, and the centenary of the flame of the unknown soldier committee, where President Macron presented a new sword in a symbolic gesture honoring the nation's military history.
The parade also dedicated a section to honoring the commitment of French youth, a move aimed at strengthening national values and civic spirit among new generations. (end) mao.res