14 July 2017•Update: 15 July 2017
By Hajer M'tiri
PARIS
A year after Bastille Day celebrations were marred by a deadly terror attack in Nice, France is celebrating its national day amid tight security.
This year's festivities, which also commemorate the 100th anniversary of America’s entry into World War I, is being marked by French President Emmanuel Macron's invitation to his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump to participate as a guest of honor.
The two leaders, accompanied by the two first ladies plus ministers and officials watched a military parade on Friday in Paris which took place on the Champs Elysees from the Place de la Concorde.
Nearly 200 American soldiers were present among the 3,765 French troops on parade.
"On this 14th of July, we celebrate France, we celebrate what unites us," Macron said in a very brief speech.
Both leaders later shook hands and saluted veterans and their families as well as those injured and bereaved by terror attacks.
Trump is due to leave at the conclusion of the ceremonies while Macron will head to Nice where he will take part in a ceremony to commemorate the victims of the deadly 2016 attack which left 86 people dead and more than 450 injured.
According to the interior ministry, more than 130,000 security and emergency service workers have been deployed during this year's Bastille Day celebrations.
France has been under a state of emergency since the aftermath of the November 2015 terrorist attacks across Paris which left over 100 people dead.
Macron has vowed to end the state of emergency by Nov. 1 this year.
