FIVE NEW ENVOYS PRESENT CREDENTIALS TO MALAYSIAN KING

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Bernama) -- Five new foreign envoys presented
their credentials to King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at National Palace here
Thursday.

They are ambassadors William Belevan-Mcbride of Peru, Lourdes Puma Puma of
Ecuador, Folco de Luca Gabrielli of Italy and high commissioners Vijay Keshav
Gokhale of India and Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awang
Halbi of Brunei.

Belevan-Mcbride, 67, began his diplomatic career in 1968 and has served as
the Undersecretary of Affairs concerning Asia, the Pacific Basin, Africa and the
Middle East at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru.

Lourdes, 55, graduated from Universidad Libre de Bruselas, Belgica, began
her diplomatic career in 1975 and has served as Minister and Ambassador, General
Director of Multilateral Policy and International Organisation in July 2006
until now.

Gabrielli, 62, started his career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in
1974 and has served at the Italian Embassy in Kampala and Tehran.

Meanwhile, Vijay, 51, took over from Ashok Kumar Kantha, who completed his
tour of duty in November last year. This is his first ambassadorial appointment.


Awang Halbi, 54, was the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. This is
also his first ambassadorial appointment.

Tuanku Mizan also granted a farewell audience to ambassador Pablo Sader, 52,
of Uruguay and high commissioner Sisa Ngombane, 53, of South Africa who are
completing their tour of duty on April 16 and March 28 respectively.

-- BERNAMA