World Leaders Take Part in March for Paris Attack Victims

Paris poured into Republic Square on Sunday in a historic display of global defiance against extremism. Last week, the worst militant assault on a European city in nine years left 17 people dead. Leaders from across the world joined the march to hold up a united front against terrorism. An Elysee official quoted President Francois Hollande as saying: "Paris today is the capital of the world. Our entire country will rise up and show its best side."

Seen here: World leaders march during the Unity rally in Paris on January 11.

French President Francois Hollande greets German Chancellor Angela Merkel (left) when she arrived at the Elysee Palace in Paris for the march on Sunday.

In an unprecedented show of unity, the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority attended the rally. In picture: French President Francois Hollande and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pose for photographers after the latter arrived at the Elysee Palace.

French President Francois Hollande welcomes Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at the Elysee Palace. The rally of defiance and sorrow, protected by an unparalleled level of security, honoured the 17 victims of the attack that left the world shocked.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen also arrived in Paris on Sunday to be a part of the event. Emotions ran high in the shell-shocked City of Light, as people from all walks of life rallied under the banner of freedom of speech and liberty.

President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz (left) being welcomed by French President Francois Hollande. The families of those who died in the three blood-soaked days that shook France to its core rubbed shoulders with royalty and heads of state within an iron ring of security.

Interior ministers have already gathered in Paris for an international meeting aimed at fighting terrorism. The three-day rampage in and around Paris killed 17 people.