Brussels, Oct 29 (IANS) The new Belgian Prime Minister, Charles Michel, paid tribute to those "who died for freedom" during the World War I at a special ceremony in the town of Ypres Tuesday.

The ceremony was part of a commemoration that took place in the towns of Nieuport and Ypres -- the places most associated with the devastation of the Great War Tuesday.

Speaking at Ypres, where a special sounding of the Last Post was played before visiting dignitaries, Charles Michel said "peace has a price and requires investment on the part of everyone."

"We have a responsibility to maintain the dialogue between peoples, to fighting selfishness and extremism. Let us never forget the men and women who died for freedom," he added.

Earlier in the day-long commemorations, King Philippe of Belgium paid tribute to the "greatness" of the Belgian forces that defended against the German onslaught in the early days of the conflict.

The ceremonies are part of a year-long series on commemorations in Belgium marking the centenary of the outbreak of World War I.