The Armenian Genocide commemoration events were held in small and large cities of France on April 24.

Thousands mourned the victims of the Armenian Genocide in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and other cities demanding condemnation and recognition by Turkey.

The Paris ceremony was attended by Prime Minister of France Manuel Valls ,Mayor Anne Hidalgo , officials and representatives of the Armenian community.

Manuel Valls placed flowers to Komitas monument and addressed 10 thousand people gathered at the event. The Prime Minister called the ceremony “historical”, adding that France always stand by the victims. “And today the victims are Christians of the Middle East”, Nouvelles d'Arménie reported.

He called to be especially cautious to the fate of the Syrian Armenians.

“Once again Armenians are persecuted because they are Armenian. To close eyes means to be guilty,” he added.

The participants marched to Turkey's Embassy in Paris chanting mottos and singing Armenian songs.

As reported earlier, commemorations in Marseille brought together over 4,000 people.