Britain marked on Friday the first anniversary of the London
terrorist attacks, in which more than 50 people were killed in a
series of suicide bombings.
The day of remembrance started at 8:50 a.m. with London Mayor
Ken Livingstone and Commissioner of Transport for London Peter
Hendy laying flowers at King's Cross station to coincide with the
timing of the attacks.
Livingstone's message read: "London will never forget those we
lost on July 7, 2005, and we will build a better city as the best
way of remembering them."
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the anniversary was an
opportunity for "the whole nation to come together."
"This is a time when our country unites across all races,
religions and divides and stands in solidarity with all those who
have suffered so much in sympathy with them and in defense of the
values we share," he was quoted by Sky news as saying.
Memorial plaques were laid at the blast sites, with survivors
and families of the victims invited to view them.
A two-minute national silence at noon is part of the event to
commemorate the bombings and remember the 52 victims.
Security across London was tight for the event amid fears that
terrorists could launch another attack.
Later on Friday, three female singers from London, will perform
Song of Doves, written by the family of a bombing victim.
The day will end with a public ceremony at Regent's Park in west
London late in the afternoon when the names of the 52 victims will
be read out.
The bombings on London's transport system on July 7, 2005, were
later found out to be the acts of home-grown British citizens. A
total of 52 people were killed and more than 700 others wounded
during the attacks.
(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2006)
