War dead honored around the world

PARIS, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Commemorations marking the end of World War I in 1918 were conducted around the world Wednesday, including European capitals and theaters of war.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel attended the main French ceremony in Paris, becoming the first German leader to mark Armistice Day, the BBC reported. Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy lit the flame at the tomb of the unknown soldier at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and observed a moment of silence.

In London, Queen Elizabeth II, politicians and military leaders participated in an event honoring the war dead at Westminster Abbey in London. This year, the last three World War I veterans living in Britain died, the BBC reported.

Queen Elizabeth led the country in observing two minutes of silence for the "passing of a generation."

In Paris, Sarkozy told Merkel during remarks, "Your presence among us on this Nov. 11 is a gesture of exceptional friendship -- every French person knows how significant it is."

Merkel said Armistice Day and the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Monday "remind us that we must always fight for the invaluable goods of peace and freedom, that we need to defend our values, of democracy and human rights, and that we keep working for European solidarity and partnership with America."

At the main British military installation in Afghanistan, troops participated in prayers and moments of silence for the dead and injured in all conflicts since World War I.

Australians also observed a moment of silence to honor those who died or were wounded in all of the nation's wars and conflicts, CNN reported.