Nicosia:Cyprus celebrated its Independence Day with a grand military parade in the capital, Nicosia. The event featured the debut of the BARAK-MX air defense weapon system.

According to Cyprus News Agency, foreign contingents from Greece, Egypt, the US, France, and the UK participated in the parade. Military personnel from Egypt, France, and the UK were present, along with a CN-295 CASA transport aircraft from the Egyptian Air Force. Sailors from the US and an anti-terrorist force also participated, while two F-16 Viper fighter jets from the Greek Air Force performed a flyover.

The parade was attended by prominent figures including President Nikos Christodoulides, Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas, Greek Minister of Defense Nikos Dendias, Chief of the National Defense Lieutenant General Emmanuel Theodorou, and General Dimitrios Houpis of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff.

Participants in the parade included all branches of the National Guard, as well as the Police, Fire Service, Center for Coordination of Research and Defense, Civil Defense, and the Ambulance Service.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, and representatives from the armed forces of Egypt, France, and the US were also in attendance.