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Verdun battle centenary marked by France and Germany Verdun: France and Germany mark centenary with EU unity call
(about 2 hours later)
French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are marking the 100th anniversary of the battle of Verdun, the longest of World War One. France and Germany have marked the 100th anniversary of the World War One battle of Verdun in north-eastern France with a call for European unity.
About 300,000 French and German soldiers were killed during 10 months of fighting in north-eastern France. France's Francois Hollande and Germany's Angela Merkel used Verdun as a symbol of both reconciliation between their nations and of EU integration.
France eventually emerged victorious. Mr Hollande warned against "forces of division" in Europe. Mrs Merkel said nationalism "would throw us backwards".
But now Verdun is seen as a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation, which was reflected by both Mr Hollande and Mrs Merkel in their speeches. The two stood side by side in memory of the 300,00 soldiers killed at Verdun.
The 10-months battle that began in May 1916 was the longest and one of the bloodiest in World War One. France eventually emerged victorious.
Verdun: France's sacred symbol of healingVerdun: France's sacred symbol of healing
The ceremonies started with the leaders visiting the German military cemetery at Consenvoye, just north of Verdun, where 11,000 German soldiers are buried. The main ceremony was held at the Douaumont Ossuary, which contains the bones of 130,000 German and French soldiers.
The leaders then moved on to a ceremony at Verdun city hall. The French president and the German chancellor jointly lit a flame in the building.
Some 4,000 French and German children also took part in a re-enactment of a battle choreographed by German filmmaker Volker Schloendorff.
Addressing the children, Mrs Merkel said: "Hardly older than you was the French Lieutenant Alfred Joubert as he, 100 years ago, not far from here, lay in a trench. He confided to his diary: 'Not even hell could be this awful.'"
She went on to say that the EU proved its "ability to compromise to unite" and to condemn "pure nationalist state thinking and behaviour [that] would throw us backwards."
President Hollande said: "The forces of division, of closure and withdrawal are at work again. They cultivate fear and instil hatred."
He said France and Germany had a special responsibility to "end conflicts at our doorstep" and to "welcome the people who flee tragedy and massacre.
"Europe is capable of overcoming the greatest difficulties if it shows solidarity and responsibility", he said, citing the eurozone crisis as an example.
The ceremonies started early on Sunday, with the two leaders visiting the military cemetery at Consenvoye, north of Verdun, where 11,000 German soldiers are buried.
At Verdun city hall, Mr Hollande focused on Franco-German relations, saying that Mrs Merkel's presence showed that Verdun was not a symbol of suffering but one of hope.
In her speech there, Mrs Merkel said: "Only those who know the past can draw lessons and build a good future."In her speech there, Mrs Merkel said: "Only those who know the past can draw lessons and build a good future."
Remembering the famous 1984 image of former leaders Francois Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl holding hands at Verdun, she said: "We have reconciled and reached agreement; we have become friends."Remembering the famous 1984 image of former leaders Francois Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl holding hands at Verdun, she said: "We have reconciled and reached agreement; we have become friends."
Mr Hollande also reflected on Franco-German relations, saying that Mrs Merkel's presence showed that Verdun was not a symbol of suffering but one of hope.
He said: "Verdun... is where Europe lost itself, 100 years ago. But it also experienced the best - the town was capable of galvanising itself, coming together for peace and for Franco-German friendship. Long live the spirit of Verdun."
A commemorative ceremony was then held at the Douaumont Ossuary. Some 4,000 French and German children took part in a performance choreographed by German filmmaker Volker Schloendorff.
Church bells then sounded throughout the Verdun area.
Some 60 million shells were fired during the battle. About 25% failed to explode, meaning that housing and farming in the battlefield area are still banned.
The battle of Verdun, 21 February - 15 December 1916The battle of Verdun, 21 February - 15 December 1916
What caused Verdun to be the longest battle of WW1?What caused Verdun to be the longest battle of WW1?