Beirut - Lebanon celebrated its 65 years of independence on Saturday with a military parade staged in downtown Beirut amid tight security.

The ceremony was attended by President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Fouad Seniora, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and other ministers, MPs and ambassadors.

Streets leading to the Martyr Square location were cordoned off for the ceremony, held for the first time in three years owing to the unrest which has gripped the country.

Lebanon gained its independence in 1943 after 23 years of rule by French mandate that succeeded Ottoman rule. (dpa)