Joseph Muscat speaks to the crowd. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Nobody and nothing would force people who wanted peace to change their way of life, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said yesterday.

He said this when expressing solidarity with the victims of Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris while addressing the crowd at the end of the President’s Solidarity Fun Run yesterday.

Some 16,000 participants walked or ran from Rabat, Paola, Santa Venera or Tal-Qroqq, converging at Porte des Bombes in Blata l-Bajda before reaching the finish line outside the Palace in Valletta. Each donated €10 to the Malta Community Chest Fund.

About 16,000 participants walked or ran from Rabat, Paola, Santa Venera or Tal-Qroqq in the President’s Solidarity Fun Run, converging at Porte des Bombes and finishing outside the Palace, Valletta. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A minute’s silence as a tribute to the Paris attacks victims was observed before the event started and, again, at the end.

Walkers from Tal-Qroqq stood behind a banner that read Ningħaqdu għall-paċi (united for peace).

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and her husband, Edgar Preca, Dr Muscat and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil were among the participants.

Reacting to the incident in Paceville a few hours earlier, which left 71 people aged between 13 and 25 injured, the two political leaders expressed solidarity with those hurt and their families.

Walkers from Tal-Qroqq stood behind a banner that read Ningħaqdu għall-paċi

Dr Muscat, who said he was both saddened and angered by the news of the incident, insisted the government would, in the coming days, be addressing the issue of underage persons being allowed into nightclubs. The Prime Minister said the government would be donating €15,000 from the fund for just causes to the MCCF.

Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

The President called for world peace and said her thoughts were with those injured in Paceville the night before. “Thank you Malta and Gozo, you have once again made me proud.

“After all the horrible tragedies that took place this week, we are showing the world that we are a small nation with a big heart,” she said.

The President’s Solidarity Fun Run was supported by Banif Bank for the seventh consecutive year.

“Seven years down the road, we keep being pleasantly surprised by the spectacular turnout and enthusiasm all round,” said Banif CEO Joaquim Silva Pinto.

A minute’s silence as a tribute to the Paris massacre victims was observed before the event started and, again, at the end.