France marks anniversary of Paris attacks

French President Francois Hollande on Sunday marked the first anniversary of "Islamic State"-claimed attacks in Paris that left 130 people dead and hundreds more injured.

Hollande unveiled a plaque commemorating a man killed by suicide bombers outside the Stade de France on the outskirts of Paris.

Sixty-three-year-old Manuel Dias was killed outside the French national stadium during a match between France and Germany - the first victim of a series of attacks that spread across the city of lights.

Accompanied by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and St. Denis Mayor Didier Paillard, Hollande unveiled memorial plaques at the five other sites attacked on the evening of November 13, 2015.

'We will not forget'

The final ceremony took place at the Bataclan, where 90 people were killed when three attackers launched an assault on the concert hall.

On the eve of the anniversary, British singer Sting reopened the Bataclan in a symbolic show of support for the victims' families, several members of which received tickets to the concert.

"We will not forget them," Sting told the audience in French. "Tonight, we have two tasks to achieve: first to remember those who lost their lives in the attack, and then to celebrate life and music in this historic place."

Meanwhile, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls vowed on Saturday to defeat "Islamist terrorism" once and for all.

"Terrorism will strike us again," Valls said. "But we have in ourselves all the resources to resist and all the strength to beat it."

ls/tj (AFP, dpa)