The Republic of Cyprus celebrates on Thursday the 56th anniversary since the declaration of its Independence, with a military parade that will take place in Nicosia.

The President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades will receive the salute of the parade, in the presence of the country`s political, religious and military leaders.

The Greek government will be represented by Minister of National Defence Panos Kamenos. He will be received by President Anastasiades, after the parade.

In the morning, a religious service will be held at the Imprisoned Graves, where he will lay a wreath in honor of the 13 fighters of the 1955-1959 liberation struggle (EOKA) against the British rule, who are buried there.

Later on he will go to the Presidential Palace, to lay a wreath to the statue of Archbishop Makarios III, the first President of the Republic of Cyprus.