Loud booing aimed at the president of the government, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, marred the military parade held today in Madrid in honour of the nation's armed forces and presided over by the royal family.

Over 4,200 members of the armed forces, 209 armoured vehicles and 58 aircraft took part in the procession, which was attended by representatives of all the highest political offices in the country, including, for the first time, the Basque Country's interior minister, Rodolfo Ares.

The parade reached an emotional crescendo with a floral offering in memory of those who have died in the service of their country this year.  38 family members of those army and police personnel who have been killed on duty this year, walked alongside the king, Zapatero and the presidents of the Congress and Sentate, to lay flowers in memory of their fallen loved ones.

This parade, held annually on the October 12th National Holiday, had another new feature this year as the flags of the various international organisations under which Spanish troops have been deployed (UN, EU and NATO) were also paraded.