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2 June 2011
Last updated at
16:22
In pictures: Italy's unification anniversary
Italy has been marking 150 years since unification, with the holding of a military parade and ceremony in Rome.
The celebrations were also held to coincide with the anniversary of the founding of the Italian republic in 1946, when the country voted to abolish the monarchy. The yearly Feast of the Republic celebration is a public holiday in Italy.
Dozens of leaders attended the celebrations at the Fori Imperiali, including a number of presidents, US Vice-President Joe Biden and the head of the Arab League, Amr Moussa.
The guests also included Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who held talks with Mr Berlusconi prior to the ceremony.
Parades featured armoured cavalry from the president's ceremonial guard and feather-capped Bersaglieri trumpeters taking part in their traditional running march.
Air space over Rome was closed off for the parade, which featured a fly-past by the Italian Air Force Frecce Tricolori acrobatic squad.
Red Cross nurses march during the military parade. The celebrations come after a significant local election defeat for Mr Berlusconi, who has been politically weakened after becoming embroiled in various legal problems.
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