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Paris attacks: France holds service to remember 130 dead
France has held a national memorial service for the 130 people who died in the Paris attacks two weeks ago.
Some 2,600 people attended the service in central Paris, including President Francois Hollande, survivors of the attacks and victims’ families.
A minute’s silence was held and the names of all the victims read out.
Attackers with assault rifles and suicide belts targeted a number of sites in the capital. Islamic State later said it was behind the assault.
Some of the survivors who attended were in wheelchairs, while members of the fire and ambulance services wore uniforms for the 45-minute ceremony in the courtyard of the historic Les Invalides complex.
In his speech, President Hollande said France would “do all it can to destroy this army of fanatics”.
“It will operate relentlessly to protect its children.” he said.
He vowed that France would respond with more music, concerts and sporting events, after some of the attacks targeted a concert venue and a stadium.
Among those attending the service were the parents of British victim Nick Alexander, who said that they were now “intrinsically linked” to those who had also lost loved ones.
“The outpouring of love from around the world has been a great comfort to us and makes us even more proud to have had Nick as our son,” they added.
It started with a song that said it all: “When all we have is love.” The lyrics of the iconic singer Jacques Brel echoed through the Court of Honour of the Invalides – a place where the French nation delivers its highest tributes to heroes and casualties of war.
There was a silent pause and the names of those who lost their lives were read out. We heard their age too – most of them in their twenties or thirties. It was a long and painful listen as portraits were screened in the courtyard.
Francois Hollande was the only speaker – he gave a brief and simple address, in which he paid tribute to the “130 smiles and faces” of the victims.
Announcers read out the names and ages of all 130 victims, from 39-year-old Stephane Albertini to 37-year-old Stella Verry.
However, not all the victims’ families accepted the invitation to attend the service at the grand complex that houses a military museum and Napoleon’s tomb.
The family of one victim told French media they had refused, saying not enough had been done to protect the nation in the wake of other attacks earlier this year.
President Hollande has this week embarked on a diplomatic push to increase support for the fight against IS militants.
He flew to Washington to meet President Barack Obama, then met German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian PM Matteo Renzi before travelling for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where more coordination on air strikes and intelligence was agreed.
A number of survivors were accompanied by French Red Cross medics
On Friday, France said for the first time that Syrian government forces could contribute to a ground campaign against IS.
Syria quickly welcomed the suggestion, although French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius later clarified the forces could only take part if a process was under way leading to the removal of President Bashar al-Assad.
BBC