Malta held an official ceremony in the captical city Valletta and its adjacent town Floriana Saturday morning to mark the 49th anniversary of Malta\'s independence. The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) held a parade down Republic Street and formed up at St John Square, where it accorded a salute to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and was inspected by President George Abela. Malta gained its political Independence from Britain on Sept. 21, 1964. Various activities are held every year to mark this important date in Maltese history.