Zuma begins UK visit

London, 03 March-(ANA)-The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will formally greet South African President Jacob Zuma at the start of his three-day state visit to the UK today.

The monarch will be joined by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and senior military and political figures for the ceremonial greeting in Whitehall.

Mr Zuma and Prince Philip will review a guard of honour at Horse Guards Parade.

Mr Zuma and his wife, Thobeka Madiba Zuma, will then join a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace.

The Queen is hosting a state banquet for the South African guests in Buckingham Palace's ballroom on Wednesday evening.

On Thursday the presidential couple will visit the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, with Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell.

Later that evening Mr Zuma will give a speech during a banquet at the Guildhall hosted by the Lord Mayor of London. (ANA)

FA/ANA/03 March 2010----