Official ceremony marks Independence anniversary

The official ceremony to mark the 49th anniversary of Malta's Independence was held in Valletta and Floriana this morning. The AFM held a parade down Republic Street and formed up at St John Square, where it accorded a salute to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and was inspected by President George Abela. Archbishop Paul Cremona led a Pontifical Mass at St John's, after which the President, the Prime Minister and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil laid wreaths on the Independence Monument in Floriana. The PN will celebrate the anniversary with a mass meeting this evening.