KUALA LUMPUR, March 28  — French President Francois Hollande, who is on a two-day state visit to Malaysia, was accorded a state welcome at Parliament Square here today.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V greeted Hollande upon his arrival at the square in the Malaysian capital at 9.30am.

Present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, his deputy, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and members of the Malaysian cabinet.

The welcoming ceremony began with the rendition of the national anthems of France and Malaysia by the Royal Malay Regiment central band from the Sungai Besi Camp, followed by a 21-gun salute.

The French President then inspected a guard-of-honour mounted by four officers and 103 men of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment led by Major Muhammad Eqram Muhammad Rosly. — Bernama