Soldiers, tanks and other military equipment paraded through central Rome on Wednesday as the Republic of Italy celebrated its 58th birthday.

President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, parliament speakers Pierferdinando Casini and MarcelloPera and representatives of all political parties were on hand as thousands of soldiers marched along the historic Via dei Fori Imperiali for the annual event.

In a message to Defense Chief of Staff Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, Ciampi praised the courage and contribution of Italy's armed forces.

"This event marks an opportunity for everyone to remember the sacrifice and courage of all those who have played a key role in ensuring a free and democratic Italy based on the fundamental values of dignity, justice and solidarity," he said.

"With a particular thought to all Italian soldiers who have fallen in the past and present, I would like to express my warm thanks and heartfelt appreciation for the daily, determined work of all our men and women in arms."

Defense Minister Antonio Martino, who also attended the event, expressed his thanks to Italy's 9,000-plus troops serving on humanitarian missions around the world.

The parade, with a six-kilometer procession of military forces and equipment, was the centerpiece of Republic Day celebrations that have been given a higher profile in recent years by the president in a bid to boost Italy's sense of nationhood.

This year's celebrations have taken on a particular significance for many Italians in view of the country's military involvement in postwar Iraq.

Twenty Italians have been killed since the country's parliamentagreed to send 3,000 troops to southern Iraq as part of the multinational force operating in the region.

Italy switched from a monarchy to a republic following a referendum on June 2, 1946.