Formal welcome ceremony accorded to Prime Minister Gilani

PARIS: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani was accorded a formal welcome ceremony here at the Mus’e de l’Arm’e, soon after his arrival on Tuesday evening.French Minister for cooperation Henri de Raincourt received the Prime Minister.National anthems of the two countries were played. A contingent of the French army presented him salute. Prime Minister Gilani reviewed the guard of honour and introduced his members of entourage.The huge building, a major tourist attraction, was originally built as a hospital. It now houses the Tomb of Napoleon and the museum of the Army of France and is used for official receptions and ceremonies.The Prime Minister’s entourage including Privatization Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, ANP chief Asfand Yar Wali, President Pakistan Business Council Kamran Mirza and members of the parliament including Raheela Baloch, Rana Afzal Hussain, Akram Masih Gil, Farhat Muhammad Khan, Haji Ghulam Ali, Muhammad Jadam Mangrio and Jawad Hussain were part of the entourage.First Lady Begum Fauzia Gilani also accompanied the Prime Minister. – APP