Gilani lays wreath at tomb of French soldier of World War I
PARIS, May 3 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday visited the Arc de Triomphe to pay respects at the tomb of the ‘Unknown Soldier’ of World War I.The Prime Minister, who arrived here this afternoon, visited the place also known as Triumphal Arch built in honour of those who fought and died for France in the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars.Prime Minister Gilani laid a wreath at the tomb and stood silent for a minute to pay homage to the unknown legendary, who took part in shaping a New France.
The French Defence Minister also accompanied Prime Minister Gilani, who is the first head of government from Pakistan to have had the distinction of laying the wreath.
National anthems of the two countries were played on the occasion.Gilani also witnessed the ‘eternal flame’ lit in 1920, that still burns without being extinguished a single day in memory of the dead of the world wars I and II, who were never identified.
Located at the right bank of Seine River, the Arc de Triomphe stands with names of military leaders and a list of French victories at its arcades. The great arcades are also decorated with allegorical figures representing characters in Roman mythology.