85th anniversary of the republic celebrated

The 85th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic was celebrated yesterday throughout the country and in Turkey's representations abroad. In Ankara, the day's first ceremony was held at Anitkabir, Ataturk's mausoleum. Officials visiting the mausoleum were led by President Abdullah Gul, who signed its memorial guestbook. Also attending the ceremony were Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Constitutional Court Chief Justice Hasim Kilic, Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Zeki Sezer, Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Justice Hasan Gerceker, Cabinet members, military officers, and Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor Abdurrahman Yalcinkaya. Following the ceremony, Gul received congratulations at the Parliament. Afterwards, a parade was held at the Ataturk Culture Center (AKM).