Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was accorded a state welcoming ceremony at Istana Negara today on the occasion of his first state visit to Malaysia since assuming office in June 2014, at the invitation of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Also in attendance were Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Defence Minister Khaled Nordin, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, and Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Johari Abdul Ghani.

Following the welcoming ceremony, El-Sisi (below) inspected a guard of honour comprising 28 officers and personnel from the First Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment.

The welcoming ceremony at the Istana Negara parade square began with a rendition of the national anthems of both countries by the Royal Ranger Regiment band led by Captain Fahmy Harun, followed by a 21-gun salute by the 41st Battery of the Royal Artillery Regiment.