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France celebrates 71th anniversary of Allied victory over Nazi Germany

Xinhua, May 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

French President Francois Hollande on Sunday laid a wreath in front of a statue of Charles de Gaulle to start celebration of the 71st anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

At the French iconic Arc de Triomphe, Hollande laid another wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier before holding a moment of silence.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls, Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and dozens of senior officials also attended the Victory Day ceremony that featured a rendition of national anthem by the state guard of honor.

The Allied forces formally accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945, after six years of war started by Adolph Hitler with an attack on Poland in September 1939. The day is celebrated in Europe as Victory Day, or Victory Europe Day.

On the sidelines of the ceremony, Hollande told France2 state-run TV that celebrating victory day was "not a memory, it is the future that we have to build together."

In his last celebration of May Day before next year's election, the Socialist leader, defended his four-year ruling amid slumping public support.

"Things are going better even they are not so for many of our compatriots. During four years, we have put the country back on the track," Hollande said.

"I want that the French are proud of their country, whatever the feeling that they have towards who is governing now," he added.

Hollande said he would announce decision on whether to seek a second term by the end of 2016. Endit