Malta joined the rest of Europe in observing a minute's silence at noon in remembrance of the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks.

The Barrakka noon gun fired and the bells of St John's tolled as Acting President Dolores Cristina led dignitaries and a crowd in the commemoration at Castille Square.

Those present included the French Ambassador, the Speaker, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, ministers and MEPs.

The French and Maltese national anthems were played as AFM soldiers saluted and the flag at the top of Castille flew at half mast.

In the evening, a minute's silence was also observed in the House of Representatives.