The Labour Party has commemorated 40 years of Malta as a republic with a ceremony which took place at the Republic Day monument in 13 December Road, Marsa.

During the ceremony, Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat said that the celebration of a number of important national anniversaries this year showed that the country could be brought together.

He also noted that the party's activity was held two days early so that Republic Day itself would be celebrated by the government and the country, to continue to foster a sense of unity.

Dr Muscat also noted that his government had provided new dignity to the Republic Day monument when it restored it - and increased its prominence - when 13 December Road was reconstructed to allow for the construction of an underpass linking it to the Marsa menqa.

After he concluded his speech, Dr Muscat, members of the party's administration and Labour Party MPs laid wreaths at the foot of the monument.