French celebrate Bastille Day amid heightened security

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French celebrate Bastille Day amid heightened security
French President Francois Hollande, left, rides his command car with French Army Chief of Staff, General Pierre de Villiers, during the traditional Bastille Day parade on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on July 14, 2015.

Paris - French President François Hollande presided over the yearly parade on the Champs Elysee.

By AP

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Published: Tue 14 Jul 2015, 2:21 PM

Last updated: Tue 14 Jul 2015, 9:53 PM

France is celebrating Bastille Day with a display of fighter jets and with anti-terrorist forces marching in the yearly parade in Paris for the first time as the country's leadership tries to show its muscle against extremists.
The national holiday on Tuesday comes after the country was hit by terror attacks in January that killed 12 people, and after an extremist beheaded his employer last month and caused an explosion that injured two people.
French President François Hollande presided over the yearly parade on the Champs Elysee. Alongside him was his guest of honour, Mexico's president Enrique Pena Nieto, whose government is smarting following the audacious prison break of a major drug lord.

Troops march down the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris, France, as part of Bastille Day parade on July 14, 2015.
Troops march down the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris, France, as part of Bastille Day parade on July 14, 2015.
Mexican troops hold falcons as they march down the Champs Elysees during the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris.
Mexican troops hold falcons as they march down the Champs Elysees during the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris.

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