国际英语新闻:Armenia marks 102th anniversary of mass killings by Ottoman Empire

YEREVAN, April 24 (Xinhua)-- Armenia on Monday marked the 102th anniversary of a genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire, during which about 1.5 million Armenians were killed.

Thousands of Armenians from all walks of life and foreign delegates visited the Genocide Memorial in Yerevan to pay tribute to the victims of the genocide, which started in 1915 and was carried out in phases in the following several years.

Speaking at a ceremony, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said that April 24 of 1915 had divided the Armenian history into two parts: before and after that tragic date.

He said that the survivors will never forget this part of history and will look forward into the future with confidence.

After laying flowers, the president and the participants visited the exhibition entitled "From Genocide to Restoration of Independence" at the Armenian Genocide Museum.

Ottoman Empire's successor state Turkey has insisted that the mass killings of Armenians during the period were not genocide. More than 20 countries have officially recognized the facts of the Armenian Genocide.