Czech President Accorded State Welcome

KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 (Bernama) -- President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus, who arrived Wednesday for a five-day visit to Malaysia, was accorded a state welcome at Parliament Square Thursday. Klaus (right), who was accompanied by his wife Livia Klausova (second from right) and a delegation, were welcomed by Malaysian King Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah (second from left) and Queen Tuanku Hajah Haminah when they arrived at the square at 9 am. Prime Minister Najib Razak (left) and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, were also present. The welcome ceremony began with the central band of the Royal Malay Regiment playing the national anthems of Malaysia and the Czech Republic. A 21-gun salute was fired. Klaus inspected a guard-of-honour mounted by four officers and 103 men of the 1st battalion Royal Malay Regiment led by Maj Amriza Mohd Ashhari (rpt) Ashhari. Klaus and his delegation were then introduced to the Cabinet ministers and members of the diplomatic corps who attended the ceremony. The maiden visit of the President of the Czech Republic to Malaysia is at the invitation of King. (photoBERNAMA) MALAYSIA